Why Evans staying is great news

The ever-popular defender has decided the time is right to retire at the age of 37, ending a career that fulfilled all of the potential he first showed when emerging from the club's Academy and impressing that hard taskmaster Roy Keane to the extent that the Irishman twice took him to Sunderland on loan.

When he returned to Old Trafford armed with Premier League experience, he would go on to win the competition three times with his boyhood club, living the dream, and being part of the squad that conquered the Champions League in 2008.

Only the FA Cup eluded him in that first spell, so he not only went on to lift it with Leicester City but then also with United, coming on as a substitute in the 2024 final triumph over Manchester City to help keep the Blues at bay. You just wish that Robin Olsen had not been the party pooper, making a brilliant save in front of the Stretford End in what turned out to be our no.35's last competitive game, against Aston Villa.

It would be quite easy to just focus on what he achieved on the field - those 107 caps for Northern Ireland underline his status as one of the country's best players - and lament the fact that he was allowed to exit the club in the first place, back in 2015.

Yet the fact is characters like Jonny never truly leave. There are certain individuals who just always seem to be United men and he is, undoubtedly, one of them. The sort you always want to do well no matter where their career takes them, and his blend of composure and steel at the heart of any defence displayed the sort of class that you must appreciate.

Coming back 'home' was a fairytale for him, really, and, despite approaching the end of his playing days, he still retained all of that quality in his performances. The post-match interviews after certain sterling displays always resonated with supporters. Jonny is a fan himself and he knows what it means to represent this great club and relish the privilege.

Often giving up his time for our fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures, he is ingrained in the fabric of United and is rightly cherished. Having been fortunate enough to speak with him during both spells at Old Trafford, his support and kindness for the staff goes above and beyond what might be expected of a first-team player.

So, while Jonny may be lost on the pitch, at least all of that experience and personality will still be on hand to help the Reds at Carrington.

As someone who experienced the journey himself, and knows the pressures of pulling on the red shirt, the role of head of loans and pathways seems like a perfect fit for the centre-back. After all, as previously mentioned, his stints at the Stadium of Light are up there with the best temporary moves the club has ever set up.

And just having Jonny remain on board can only be a positive. His pal Tom Heaton is also staying on, after extending his contract, and while some relentlessly advocate and pursue change, the decision to lean on those who know and understand the culture should be applauded.

Manchester United is a unique club and characters like Jonny are at the beating heart of it. 

His lovely, meticulously prepared speech at much-missed Carrington receptionist Kath Phipps's funeral earlier this year moved most of us to tears and showed, once again, just how much he appreciates and respects those who work alongside him at our base. All pulling in the same direction to try to achieve success for United.

Jonny's next goal in this respect will be to help develop footballers capable of breaking into Ruben Amorim's senior side. If any have as much class as he does, on and off the field, then they will be nailed-on certainties to make it.

The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.