Jonny Evans admits he was close to hanging up his boots before Manchester United offered him an opportunity to stay in the game.
The 35-year-old centre-back, who is currently on international duty with Northern Ireland, endured a difficult time at Leicester City last season, due to recurring calf injuries.
Evans was released at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, as Leicester were relegated, and he didn’t expect to play in the Premier League again.
However, the Red Devils handed the veteran defender a lifeline on transfer deadline day by offering him a short-term contract.
Evans has since made four appearances for United this season, including wins over Burnley and Brentford.
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans makes retirement admission #mufc https://t.co/hQNl0mDsYP pic.twitter.com/q9XagWk9BG
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) October 17, 2023
“I think I went through a stage last year where you start thinking: ‘maybe this is it coming to an end,'” said Evans.
“I couldn’t get over the injuries, and every time I came back I was breaking down. I had a lot of people say, ‘there’s no way you’re close to finishing,’ but you have to prove that to yourself and I feel I’ve been able to do that.
“I’ve trained a lot, getting all that behind me, completing matches,” added Evans, who came through United’s academy and played over 190 times for the club in his first stint between 2006-2015, winning three Premier League titles.
“Every time you complete a match you think: ‘there’s another one down’. Sometimes you’re having to confirm that to yourself and I’ve been pleased I’ve been able to go through that process. I feel I’m in a good place.”
