Erik ten Hag reveals Man Utd contract talks over surprise signing
- Jonny Evans returned to Man Utd earlier this summer and was handed a short-term contract for pre-season
- The 35-year-old, a United academy graduate, left Leicester City last season
- Ten Hag wants to keep Evans around for the foreseeable future
By Tom Gott
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed the club are in talks over extending veteran centre-back Jonny Evans' contract with the club.
35-year-old Evans, a graduate of the United academy, left Leicester City at the start of the summer following their relegation to the Championship and was initially training with his boyhood side to preserve his fitness before a short-term contract was handed out.
Evans was involved in United's pre-season and has remained with the club ever since. His short-term deal is due to expire at the end of the month but Ten Hag revealed Evans could stay for the rest of the season.
"We are in talks," Ten Hag confirmed. "For this month he is under contract but we are talking [about extending it'."
Asked if he wants to keep Evans, the boss insisted: "Of course, otherwise we would not be talking."
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United already have four senior centre-backs, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane the preferred starters ahead of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, but Evans could offer some senior cover in a role which would also see him act as a mentor for the younger players in the squad.
Negotiations with Evans are not believed to be tied to the future of Maguire, who had been targeted by West Ham United but now appears set to stay and fight for his position at Old Trafford.
"Harry is a player for us," Ten Hag said of the England international. "I am happy he is here, we need a good squad, we have four good centre halves - including Luke Shaw we have five - and we need it because we are going to play 50-60 games this season. All the players are internationals, so we have a very heavy load to cover so I am happy Harry Maguire is here.
"I’ve been here now for one year and you know what I expect from a centre half. And he can do it, I’ve told you many times before he has the abilities to do it so now he has to show it. It is then about character, to be convinced to play that role, he has all the abilities to do it and it is up to him when the time [opportunity] is there."
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