“Do you fancy coming back?” – Erik ten Hag’s conversation with Man United veteran recalled

Jonny Evans returned to Manchester United this summer on a free transfer after eight years away from the club.

Erik ten Hag initially signed the defender on a short-term deal for the pre-season tour of America.

Evans was training at Carrington after his contract at Leicester City expired and it was believed that he would aid the United youth players who also travelled across the pond in the summer.

However, the 35-year-old centre-back would go on to sign a one-year deal at Old Trafford on deadline day after United were unable to sign another defender for a high fee after Harry Maguire’s deal with West Ham collapsed.

Evans has had more of a role than he ever would’ve expected since rejoining the club he graduated from the academy with. He has played more regularly during a turbulent time with injuries for the club in defence.

He assisted Bruno Fernandes’ winning goal in his first start against Burnley in the Premier League, which was also his 200th appearance for the club, as he cited the experience as “one of the best days of my life”.

Evans played at the King Power Stadium last term and his injury troubles during the campaign were part of the reason that Leicester dropped down to the Championship. He did play against Ten Hag’s side and has recalled a conversation with the Dutch boss.

“I think back to when we played last season actually,” he revealed to club media. “We played quite early on in the season, United won 1-0 at Leicester, and I think I had a good game that night.

“He gave me a little bit of a jokey comment of ‘do you fancy coming back?’ So I was like ‘yeah, yeah, of course, no problem’. And it’s funny how things work out. I just don’t think either of us thought that would’ve ever have been a possibility.

“But I suppose maybe he thought, with my experience, and my experience of the club before, and the relationship I had with everyone here, it wouldn’t be a problem for me at this stage of my career, coming in and settling in. I’m feeling part of it and being able to provide something.

“You know, I’m quite aware of my role and that is to provide cover for the other centre-backs and support the team in a different way to maybe what I’ve been used to, but I’ve just got to be ready when I can to basically try to help the team and help this club to push on.”