Manchester United’s chances of reducing the wage bill and the size of their squad depends largely on the offers that will come their way.
Who is realistically going to come calling for Donny van de Beek after the most forgettable of loan spells in the Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt? Sevilla appear unlikely in the extreme to pursue a permanent deal for Hannibal Mejbri, meanwhile, with Borussia Dortmund admitting that keeping Jadon Sancho at the Signal Iduna Park may be beyond them.
And then there’s Antony, destined to depart Manchester United for a massive loss if indeed he does go. Fortunately, Casemiro appears to have Saudi Arabian clubs willing to overlook his dramatic drop-off, those Middle Eastern magpies with their sights fixed on another shiny big name.
One player who should have plenty of offers if his Old Trafford career comes to an end this summer, however, is Jonny Evans.
Despite turning 36 in January, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill is convinced that there will be numerous clubs willing to extend Evans’ career after a season in which the veteran defender proved beyond all doubt that age really is ‘just a number’.
Jonny Evans’ Manchester United future uncertain
“I will have that conversation with Jonny in Spain about his international future. It may be determined by what happens at Manchester United,” the former Stoke City boss tells the Belfast Live. “But you can’t tell what way these things will go.
“I think Jonny has done himself no harm this season, as he has been an important player for Manchester United in a difficult season. A team that has had a lot of challenges.
“There are a lot of managers out there that would love to have Jonny Evans at their club. You don’t know what opportunities will be presented to players.
“From my point of view, I want to see Jonny continue to play for club and country.”
Evans has been re-called by Northern Ireland ahead of June’s friendlies with Spain and Albania, having missed the March camp through injury.
Initiallyreturning to Man United on a short-term deal covering last summer’s pre-season, Evans earned himself a deal and then ended up playing a far larger role than anyone would have imagined during an almost unprecedented spate of injuries.
Evans, should he feature in Saturday’s FA Cup final, will have made 30 appearances for the Red Devils in 2023/24.
Questions remain over whether Evans will get a new deal, or whether he will be released by the club.
Defender has been ‘Manchester United’s best’
“Jonny has had to manage an injury throughout the season,” O’Neill adds, Evans putting his body on the line for his beloved United.
“He has put the team before himself at times this year, playing when maybe not 100 per cent. He now has the FA Cup Final to look forward to.
“I gave Jonny the choice to skip (the friendlies). But he said he wanted to be involved and I want to play.”
Evans is obviously not likely to play a major role for United going forward – injuries permitting of course – but a team in transition may see the value in retaining a man who’s experience, reliability and composure has come in very handy in recent months.
“Of course Man United should keep Jonny,” former Northern Ireland team-mate Stuart Dallas tells The Belfast Telegraph. Jonny has probably surprised himself at how often he has played this year. But it’s not just that he has played, he has been Manchester United’s best defender.
“The games I’ve watched, Jonny has been superb. Jonny’s quality has never left him. His ability to read the game is there for all to see. His experience has helped Man United this season.”