Jonny Evans has revealed that he considered retirement while he was struggling with injury in his final months at Leicester City.
The Northern Ireland defender signed for Manchester United as a free agent during the summer transfer window after his contract expired at Leicester City.
Evans was initially welcomed back to Carrington to train and maintain his fitness as he considered his next steps. It now turns out that he may have been testing himself after previous injury struggles that made him contemplate hanging up his boots.
“I think I went through a stage last year where you start thinking, ‘maybe this is it coming to an end,” Evans told reporters at a press conference before Northern Ireland take on Slovenia, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“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.”
The 35-year-old travelled with the squad to the USA for the pre-season tour and it was announced in September he’d signed a one-year deal.
To his credit, Evans has performed well when called upon this season – but that doesn’t take away from the fact United are suffering from an injury crisis in defence.
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