Manchester United have completed a football romantic story by retaining Jonny Evans in a new role at the club after his retirement, and now it’s his chance to shape the future.
Jonny Evans retired in a dream manner as he earned a full-time contract after training with the club, eventually retiring after two more trophies to his cabinet.
Upon his retirement, United moved to retain his professionalism and experience, which could be of huge help to the academy.
United lost Nick Cox to Everton recently, so Evans brings homegrown flavour in his new role as a loan player manager. He needs to prioritise two players.
Radek Vitek of Blau Weiss Linz during the Admiral Bundesliga match between FC Blau Weiss Linz and RZ Pellets WAC at Hofmann Personal Stadion on April 11, 2025
Photo by Severin Aichbauer/SEPA.Media /Getty Images
Jonny Evans’ new role at Man Utd
Manchester United’s youth academy has been thriving for a while now, and that success hasn’t been lost on the footballing world.
First, loan manager Les Parry was lured to Saudi Arabia by Neom FC, and now Nick Cox has been poached by Everton with the promise of a bigger role.
Therefore, United could have hardly done any better than asking Jonny Evans to play a role that is the bridge between those two profiles.
Evans will be tasked with identifying ideal clubs for players to be sent on loan, and then keeping in touch with them as they progress.
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In addition, he can also help with the mentoring of the players who walk the same path as he did from the Man Utd academy to the first team.
Darren Fletcher also does something similar, but he’s also involved with the first-team coaching structure, so it leaves plenty of space for Evans to carve out an important role for himself.
Right away, he will have two players to prioritise who are at the crossroads of their careers.
Evans needs to nail Ethan Wheatley and Radek Vitek decisions
When talking about unsuccessful loans that need fixing, United need only to look at what happened to Ethan Wheatley at Walsall.
Going to Walsall with the reputation of a serial goalscorer, Wheatley struggled immensely as he barely received any playing time.
It is notable that when Wheatley’s loan was fixed, United didn’t have a designated loan manager, a role that will be Evans’ now.
Evans needs to nail the decision for Wheatley’s next loan, because it could make or break his career already at a crossroads.
Then comes Radek Vitek, who shone on loan with BW Linz but needs to be challenged to take the next step now.
There have been reports that United are open to Vitek’s sale, but that would be a huge mistake because he has impressed every time he’s played for any team, on loan or in a friendly for United.
His next step needs to be a Championship loan, or if Ruben Amorim is feeling brave, a shot at the No. 1 spot to challenge Andre Onana.
Vitek is a potential star who has succeeded on consecutive loans now. Evans needs to nail his next move because it can sort out United’s problem position for the next decade.
No pressure, Evans!