Manchester United youngster Ayden Heaven has highlighted the crucial role Jonny Evans is playing in his development behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
The 38-year-old, who enjoyed two successful spells as a United player, took on his first senior coaching role after being named as part of Darren Fletcher’s backroom team following Ruben Amorim’s exit.
After retiring at the end of last season, Evans was appointed as United’s loans manager but departed in December before being brought back to the Premier League giants by Fletcher.
Manchester United's first-team coach Jonny Evans. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Manchester United's first-team coach Jonny Evans. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
Carrick has retained Evans’ services alongside appointing Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate as they look to secure United’s return to the Champions League for next season.
Having played 107 times for Northern Ireland and racked up almost 400 Premier League appearances, Belfast-born Evans is now passing his vast experience onto the next generation.
Heaven, who is still only 19, has made 11 Premier League outings for United this season while 20-year-old Leny Yoro – a £52 million arrival from Lille in 2024 – is another picking Evans’ brain.
“Yeah, it's really good," Heaven told the club's Inside Carrington podcast. "Jonny especially, he's been helping me a lot.
"Me and Leny, after some of the sessions, we go to do extras and just work on that, you know, the basics.
"And even between drills, during their sessions, they're always pulling me to the side and helping me on my positioning. I've enjoyed it so far. They're a big help.
"Obviously they've played in the game for over 20 years, you know, and when I know that obviously I'm going to listen to them because I just know I can learn from them."
When asked about his main defensive influencers who have also played for United, Maguire listed five – Steve Bruce, Rio Ferdinand, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Evans.
Highlighting Evans’ all-round ability, Maguire hailed him as “the best I’ve played with in terms” of consistently being active – a trait which he views as crucial for top defenders.
“He’s a great guy,” said Maguire on the club’s website. “Really calm, a real good player.
"When I speak about underrated players, I’d say Jonny, for me, was probably the most underrated player I’ve ever played with.
"If I was a young boy, or I was teaching someone to watch defending and watch body positioning and watch movement, I’d say: ‘Watch Jonny Evans.’ He was that good at his body positioning and the way that he’s so active in every part of the game.
"There are a lot more things to defending than making last-ditch tackles and making big challenges.
"They get the plaudits from the fans, but your body positioning, your footwork, the understanding of where you need to be...and the main thing as a defender, I always say, is being active in every part of the game, and Jonny was the best I’ve played with in terms of that.
"So he was an excellent player, and obviously coming towards the end when he came back to us at the club.
"But you could still see his quality. I saw a lot more of his quality obviously when he was at Leicester in his prime. But he was amazing to play with.”