'Jonny Evans is a Red...'
Jonny Evans is delighted to have a new chant, which is being loudly sung by Manchester United supporters at grounds up and down the country.
Academy graduate Evans returned to the Reds over the summer, signing a one-year contract in September after eight years away from the club with West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City.
Since rejoining, Evans has been a hit with match-going fans, who have quickly repurposed an old terrace favourite which was formerly reserved for Gary Neville.
‘Jonny Evans is a Red, he hates Scousers’, is how it goes and the 35-year-old appreciates the recognition.
“Obviously I’ve played a couple of games since I re-signed for the club, but to actually play on the Old Trafford pitch was another challenge and, you know, another sort of emotion that I was able to experience,” Jonny said, in the new episode of TeamViewer Diaries.
TeamViewer Diaries: Jonny Evans
TeamViewer Diaries | Jonny Evans reflects on his return to United, the importance of our Academy and more...
“And obviously the fans started singing my name and gave me a little song, which was nice. I'm delighted about that.
“I think throughout my career, I've not really had that many chants.
“Whenever you're at Old Trafford, you know, one of the best stadiums in the world and all the fans are singing that… I have to say, the fans have been amazing with me since I came back.
“I really appreciate that and it's made me feel even more at home than I already do.”
Evans made 198 appearances in his first spell with United and he has since racked up the double century of games, registering an excellent assist for Bruno Fernandes against Burnley in the match that tipped him over the landmark.
A born-and-bred Red, Jonny has achieved plenty in the game away from Manchester but he’s always felt at home at Old Trafford, with a connection to our fans.
So much so that, on his first trip back to the Theatre of Dreams, he absent-mindedly tried to enter the United dressing room!
“I mean obviously when I left and I played the first couple of games, it still took me a while to adjust,” Evans added.
'I’m not used to having a chant!'
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“I remember at half-time actually walking towards the home dressing room and someone - I can't remember who it was - had to stop me. And that was just sort of habit.
“Especially during the game, you're in the zone, so you're not thinking, and as I'm coming down the tunnel at half-time, I've taken a wrong turn!
“But I think the fans have always given me a great reception since I’ve been away.
“Even the clubs I’ve been at and when Manchester United have come to play against those clubs, the away fans always gave me a great reception when my name was read out.”