The 180-degree turn that Jonny Evans’ career has taken

Jonny Evans’ career has taken a 180 degree turn in recent months. At 35, the Northern Irish centre-back admitted that last season he feared he would be forced to hang up his boots due to injuries.

In case he was relegated from the Premier League with Leicester, but a call from Manchester United, shortly before the end of the summer market, opened the doors of Old Trafford again to Evans and regained his enthusiasm for football.

Evans will captain the Northern Ireland team tomorrow, who have no chance of qualifying for Euro 2024, in their match against Slovenia in his native Belfast and today, in a press conference, he confessed that he did not expect such a positive change in his team.career.

“No, absolutely not,” Evans replied when asked about it. “I think last year I went through a phase where you start thinking ‘maybe this is over,'” he said. “There’s no doubt I have thoughts at times. “I never got over the injuries and, every time I came back, I collapsed.”.

“You have to prove it to yourself”

“A lot of people told me ‘no way are you close to finishing,’ but you have to prove that to yourself and I feel like I’ve been able to do that,” said Evans proudly. “I’ve trained a lot, leaving it all behind, finishing games. Every time you complete a game, you think there’s something missing. I’m glad I went through that process. “I feel like I’m in a good place.”

A young player who made a surprise return to United

Evans trained at the United Academy and, as a professional, won the Premier League three times and a Champions League, among other titles. in his first period as ‘red devil’ (2006-2015) before moving on West Bromwich Albion (2015-2018) and then on Leicester (2018-2023), With the ‘foxes’ he won the FA Cup in 2021.

Last July Erik ten Hag, United manager, He was on trial for a few days in preseason and was permanently included in his squad with a release letter after ending his contract with Leicester. A surprising signing but one that, given the avalanche of defensive casualties, has been useful ever since Evans has played four games this season, two of them starting in the Premier League.

‘Centenary’ with Northern Ireland

Shortly before playing Northern Ireland-San Marino (3-0). Evans received a plaque at Windsor Park from legendary former goalkeeper Pat Jennings to commemorate his 100th international match in his country’s shirt. It was in September 2022 against Greece in the Nations League and tomorrow will be the 105th.