Ferdinand says he ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if player who ‘shouldn’t be’ at United is offered a new contract

Rio Ferdinand was left perplexed by Jonny Evans’ return to Manchester United last summer but is impressed with how his former teammate has fared.

Nobody – not even Evans – would’ve expected to see the 36-year-old starting for United in both Manchester derbies almost nine years after he departed Old Trafford, let alone make 23 appearances in all competitions.

He was sought on a free deal from Leicester City, whom he captained, following their relegation to the Championship in 2022/2023. Evans had spent time at Carrington across the summer break to keep his fitness levels up while searching for a new suitor before United offered the veteran a one-year contract.

Frequent injuries to the likes of Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof, as well as a long-term setback to Lisandro Martinez, saw Evans called upon early on in the campaign, and he has since gone on to feature in every competition. 

Former Red puzzled by Evans signing

Ferdinand is well-acquainted with the Northern Ireland international from their playing days but believes he shouldn’t be playing such a key role at the club in this day and age. 

“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,” he began on his FIVE podcast. “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, really he 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.”