Jonny Evans returns to Man Utd on short-term contract

The former academy star will spend the pre-season with Man Utd.

Manchester United have signed a short-term contract to keep Jonny Evans in their squad during the pre-season.

Evans has trained with United since leaving Leicester City as a free agent earlier this summer. The club have now decided to include Evans in their squad to meet Lyon in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.

“Experienced defender Jonny Evans has signed a short-term deal to enable him to take part in Manchester United’s upcoming pre-season games in Edinburgh and San Diego,” Man Utd’s official statement reads.

“The Academy graduate had been training with the Under-21s whilst considering his options following his departure from Leicester City at the end of last season.

“As part of the Academy training programme, he has also taken part in a number of first-team sessions and impressed Erik ten Hag and the coaching staff.”

Evans came through Man Utd’s academy ranks before leaving for West Ham in 2015. A move to Leicester City then saw the Irish defender win the FA Cup with the Foxes.

Celtic have emerged as the frontrunners to sign Evans ahead of the next season. However, the Hoops won’t have him in their squad at least until the end of United’s pre-season tour in the US.