Jonny Evans contemplated retirement while he was struggling with injury in his final months at Leicester City, but he hopes those problems are behind him and he’s admitted that he’s in a ‘good place’ representing Manchester United again.
Evans’ contract expired at Leicester in the summer and he was welcomed back to Carrington to train and maintain his fitness as he considered his next steps.
The defender came through the club’s academy before leaving in 2015 and a club source in July said it’s ‘part of the club philosophy that former players are always welcome back’.
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Evans subsequently travelled to the USA for the pre-season tour to help the reserves and it was announced in September he’d signed a one-year deal.
He was signed to provide defensive cover and the injury crisis has meant he’s been needed in games against Arsenal, Burnley, Crystal Palace and Brentford, appearances which mean he’s now surpassed the 200-game mark for the club.
But Evans contemplated retirement before signing for United and he celebrates his 36th birthday in January, so he’s in the winter of his career.
“I think I went through a stage last year where you start thinking, ‘maybe this is it coming to an end,'” Evans told reporters when asked about retirement at a press conference before Northern Ireland’s match against Slovenia.
“I couldn’t get over the injuries, and every time I came back I was breaking down. I had a lot of people say, ‘there’s no way you’re close to finishing’, but you have to prove that to yourself and I feel I’ve been able to do that.
“I’ve trained a lot, getting all that behind me, completing matches. Every time you complete a match you think, ‘there’s another one down’. Sometimes you’re having to confirm that to yourself.
“I’ve been pleased I’ve been able to go through that process. I feel I’m in a good place.”
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