Manchester United are unlikely to be busy in the January transfer window but one player is being backed for an Old Trafford departure.
2025 has begun and Manchester United fans are left hoping for better fortunes.
Erik ten Hag won an FA Cup in 2024 but United were largely disappointing and ended the year in woeful fashion.
United’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United on Monday night and have now lost five of the last six Premier League games.
Ruben Amorim’s side haven’t even scored in the last three outings with United seriously struggling.
Amorim has admitted fears of a relegation battle and United are unlikely to have the funds to strengthen in January either.
Manchester United ace backed for Rangers transfer
United may need to wheel and deal to get anything done in January, which will disappoint Amorim.
United splashed more than £180million on summer signings and that leaves very little room in the January budget despite recouping around £80million in sales.
Offloading players isn’t easy and even those who could feasibly go may not bring in major funds.
Defender Jonny Evans is a prime example with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
The 36-year-old wouldn’t bring in a huge fee anyway but having played just twice under Amorim, he may chase first-team action elsewhere.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has now been quoted by the Daily Record as saying he would like to see Rangers sign Evans in January.
Boyd believes that Rangers need to bring in an experienced leader in the mould of former Gers players such as Ugo Ehiogu and David Weir.
Boyd feels that Evans won’t be at United ‘for much longer’ and believes a deal with Rangers would make sense for all involved, even if only until the summer.
“I just look at Rangers, I don’t really see any leaders in there. I know there has been rumours of Nathan Patterson, but I can’t help but think of somebody like a Jonny Evans or something, maybe until the end of the season,” said Boyd.
“I remember we were like this in the past – and I know it is going back a few years. But you look at people like Ugo Ehiogu, sadly no longer with us, and Davie Weir arrived and not even just what they gave you on the pitch but off the pitch. It was the professionalism on a daily basis, how to live your life, how to train in that football environment.
“I just look at Jonny Evans and think – is that someone who could maybe [join], even for the next few months. He is obviously out of contract in the summer and I don’t think he will stay there for much longer. But just that older experience, I think Phillipe Clement has spoken about youngsters coming in and developing them, even though it is a bit of a myth when you look at the average age of the team. A few experienced ones just to steady it on the pitch and round about the training centre. There is no doubt there is a few boys looking lost right now. They don’t know if they are coming or going. Something has to change because it has not been good enough,” he added.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 12 |  BrentfordBrentford | 19 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 33 | 35 | -2 | 24 |
| 13 |  West HamWest Ham | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 23 | 35 | -12 | 23 |
| 14 |  Man UtdManchester United | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 21 | 26 | -5 | 22 |
| 15 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 19 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 20 | 27 | -7 | 20 |
| 16 |  EvertonEverton | 18 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 17 |
Key:
Position 1 – 4 : Champions LeaguePosition 5 : UEFA Europa League
Position 18 – 20 : Relegation
Jonny Evans surely in final stages at Manchester United
United allowed Evans to return on a short-term deal in the summer of 2023 before handing him a longer-term contract.
The veteran centre back has been called upon a number of times since rejoining United and has never let the side down.
United now appear ready to go in a different direction though with youngster Leny Yoro emerging after his summer move from Lille.
Evans has shown that he can still play at a high level and whilst he is likely to leave this year, he could continue his playing career elsewhere.
Whether Rangers show any interest is unclear but Evans can still make an impact elsewhere and would leave United with the utmost respect from all supporters.
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