Johnny Evans handed new role at Manchester United 

Johnny Evans is set to take up a new role at Manchester United just weeks after he confirmed his retirement from football.

Evans had two separate spells at Manchester United and was still contributing last season at the age of 37. However, his new task at the Red Devils will see him help the club in a youth development role.

United are keeping his wealth of knowledge on the books with a role helping to look after the loans of emerging talents.

Jonny Evans applauds the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

According to the Athletic, United place a huge value on Evans’ character, professionalism and winning experience. He is also one of the few who can reference what it was like to play in Sir Alex Ferguson’s winning culture. They feel a role in bridging the pathway between academy and senior football is a good fit.

Les Parry, United’s loans manager, left the club last November to take a similar job in Saudi Arabia and Evans is set to fill the void. His job will be to identify the best clubs to send their young players to and then monitor their progress, offering support where needed.

Evans returned to United in 2023 and made an impact on last summer’s pre-season tour to America where he spoke impressively about the staff members losing their jobs in the first round of redundancies.

Despite having just 43 appearances in his second stint with the club, Evans’ impact was felt around the club. He would offer advice to younger players and giving his insight into United’s heritage.

Across his first spell in Manchester he won three Premier League titles, two League Cups, a Champions League and a Club World Cup. He would make his debut in September 2007 under Ferguson and play regularly before eventually leaving after several managers had come and gone.

Evans also played for West Brom and then ended up at Leicester City, where he impressed in Brendan Rodgers ‘ side, winning the FA Cup in 2021.