BREAKING NEWS: reports coming from Fabrizio Romano, Erik ten Hag has assured that if the 24-year-old continues to deliver poor performances, he will be relegated to the bench.
Manchester United’s erratic performance continued with another defeat, this time against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, intensifying scrutiny over manager Erik ten Hag’s unconventional lineup choices.
A lopsided midfield significantly hampered United’s second-half performance, prompting the Dutch manager to reflect on various aspects in the coming days. Amidst these considerations, attention has shifted to players whose contracts are set to expire next summer.
Recent reports suggest the club has opted to trigger the one-year extension clause in Victor Lindelof’s contract. However, the unexpected standout player of the season has been Jonny Evans, a signing that perhaps didn’t initially capture fans’ attention.
Despite his age of 35, Evans has emerged as an underrated signing, displaying his brilliance notably in the comeback victory against Aston Villa, shining brightly amid a season marked by defensive blunders. With uncertainty surrounding Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire’s futures, the club allegedly plans to secure another high-quality center-back in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Given Evans’ vast experience and track record of success, extending his contract appears to be a sensible move, especially as a dependable backup option. While Evans inked a one-year deal in the summer, reports indicate that Ten Hag is inclined to recommend offering the veteran defender another one-year contract extension.
In a departure from past transfer decisions, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, poised to become the club’s major individual stakeholder through INEOS, will wield the final authority on all transfer-related matters. The potential decision to prolong Evans’ contract is expected to test Ten Hag’s influence within the club.
Retaining Evans could prove astute regardless of other defensive signings due to his professionalism, readiness to accept a backup role, and absence of disruptions. Amid Manchester United’s on-field challenges, securing Evans’ experience and dependability may contribute significantly to a more solid defensive structure in the forthcoming seasons.
