Manchester United have given Jonny Evans a surprise short-term contract to play for his old club in pre-season.
Evans, who is a free agent after leaving Leicester City this summer, could feature for United against Lyon at Murrayfield on Wednesday, eight years after his last appearance for the Red Devils.
The Northern Ireland defender will also go with an academy squad to train in San Diego and play Wrexham on United’s tour of the US, having worked with the Under-21s at Carrington recently.
The 35-year-old, who came through United’s youth system and won the Champions League and three Premier League titles at Old Trafford, is also said to have impressed manager Erik ten Hag in some first-team sessions.
It is possible that he could earn a longer deal at United, particularly if Harry Maguire leaves. The Englishman, who was stripped of his captaincy recently, is wanted by West Ham United.
A United statement announcing the short-term deal read: “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.
“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, who has been capped 102 times by Northern Ireland, will travel to Edinburgh as part of the group to face Lyon on Wednesday.
“Jonny will then join up with the academy group that will travel to San Diego while the first-team squad are in New York.
“The centre-back played 198 games for the first team before departing the club in 2015, having won the Champions League, the Club World Cup, three Premier League titles and two League Cups.”
