FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-ASTON VILLA
Ruben Amorim has opted to let Jonny Evans go (Photo: Getty)
Ruben Amorim should have kept Jonny Evans at Manchester United to help the next generation of players.
That is the opinion of former Premier League manager Tony Pulis after it was confirmed that the veteran defender would be departing Old Trafford this summer upon the expiry of his contract.
Following Sunday’s final game of the season – a surprise 2-0 win against 10-man Aston Villa – United confirmed that Evans, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen were leaving as free agents.
Veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also out of contract but may remain at the club as they rebuild following a disastrous season.
37-year-old Evans began his career with United before being sold to West Brom in 2015 where he played under Pulis but returned to Manchester in 2023.
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It’s no surprise to see Amorim let the former Northern Ireland captain go after making just six Premier League appearances this season and it remains to be seen if he continues his career.
Pulis believes Evans would be a fine signing for a Championship club like Wrexham but thinks he would also be of great use to Amorim as a coach at Old Trafford.
Manchester United FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League
Evans waved goodbye to Man Utd on Sunday (Photo: Getty)
‘If I was Manchester United, I would keep Jonny and stick him in the academy as a coach,’ the Welsh manager told OLBG.
At West Brom, I don’t think any of the lads will argue, he was by far the best player we had there. You could play him anywhere, could play him in midfield, could play him at full-back.
‘I remember going to Crystal Palace one year and Wilfried Zaha was having it off and I pulled Jonny and said, I want you to play full-back today. He said that he couldn’t play full-back. But then he was the best player on the pitch. Zaha didn’t have a kick. He was the best player.
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Does Evans have a future as a coach (Photo: Getty)
‘He suffered with injuries, but you always get cart horses like myself who played who would just plough on, never mind what was going on with you, whether you were injured or not, and then you’ve got real thoroughbred race horses.
‘Jonny was the thoroughbred and everything had to be right for him to play. We managed to change him a little bit in the end and got him going through a little bit of pain.
‘But as a footballer and as a player, both upstairs and his ability, he’s absolutely first class and he’s a very fit lad as well. So if Wrexham were going to do it, I’d be saying to them, great signing.’
‘But if I was Manchester United, I’d find a place in the academy for him.’
It remains to be seen what Evans does next, but for Amorim his priority turns to rebuilding United’s squad following their worst season in Premier League history.
Addressing fans after the Villa win, the head coach said: ‘First of all, I want to apologise for this season. I know you are really disappointed with me and the team.
‘Secondly, I want to say thank you. We are very grateful for your support this season and I know it was really hard to support us in many games.
‘But now we have to make a choice. Do we stick in the past? Because this season is in the past. It’s over. We could fight each other or we stick together and move forward.’
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