“He shouldn’t be at Man United…” – Rio Ferdinand blasts club’s reliance on defender

Former Manchester United has blasted Manchester United for relying on senior centre-back Jonny Evans so much this season.

Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles with United, played alongside Evans for three of those title-winning seasons. The English defender would leave Old Trafford in 2014, with Evans following him out the exit door just one season later.

This season, in a surprise to many at the time, Evans would return to the side. Having initially joined up with Erik ten Hag’s squad to keep up his fitness, Evans would sign a short-term deal for the length of United’s pre-season tour before the club extended that stay with Evans signing a one-year contract.

Now, six months on, in a twist few could have seen coming, Evans, 36, has become a regular in the United squad. With all of United’s senior defenders bar Diogo Dalot facing injuries at one point or another this season, Evans has played in several high-profile matches.

Starting in both Manchester derbies this season, Evans has also started against Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur, amongst others, racking up 23 appearances for United this season already.

Speaking about his former centre-back partner on the FIVE podcast, Ferdinand was full of praise for the level Evans showed during his return to Manchester but heavily criticised United for relying on him so frequently.

“I didn’t expect him to come in and play as many games, and I didn’t expect him to do as well as he’s done,” stated Ferdinand. “But he hasn’t put a foot wrong, it’s crazy. He’s good with the ball, he’s probably good with the younger players. He’ll probably go into coaching after.

“He wouldn’t have expected to play as many games but listen, the way he’s going it wouldn’t surprise me if he got a new contract, if not there then definitely somewhere else.

“But really, as well as he’s done and as much as I admire him as a professional, he really shouldn’t be at Man United. It just shows you where they are. He shouldn’t be being asked to come in and play and chase [Erling] Haaland around. That’s not what the top clubs are doing nowadays.”

Evans, who was forced off the pitch during United’s game against rivals City on the weekend is now facing a race against the clock to be fit for the Red Devils’ Premier League match against Everton this Saturday.