Manchester United's Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Christian Eriksen. (REUTERS/Paul Childs)
Following a disappointing 2024/25 campaign—finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final—Manchester United wasted no time in kickstarting their preparations for next season, heading straight off on a post-season tour of Asia.
The trip saw United play two matches: one against the ASEAN All-Stars and another versus the Hong Kong national team.
In typical fashion for much of their season, United suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to the All-Stars, with Burmese forward Maung Maung Lwin netting the winner in the 71st minute.
They improved in their second outing, beating Hong Kong 3-1 thanks to goals from young talents Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven, though the performance still left much to be desired.
Jonny Evans Leaves Old Trafford
More significantly, the match in Hong Kong marked the end of an era for a Manchester United cult hero, as veteran defender Jonny Evans was officially released following the club’s announcement of its retained list.
Evans, 37, departs after two spells with the club. A product of the academy, he made his debut in 2007 and went on to win three Premier League titles, a Champions League, a Club World Cup, and a League Cup during his first stint. He returned in 2023 and added an FA Cup medal to his collection with United’s 2-1 victory over Manchester City in 2024.
Manager Rúben Amorim paid tribute to the Northern Irishman before his final appearance, calling him “a great professional.”
“Whenever he has been fit, he has trained well with very high standards,” Amorim told MUTV. “You can see the standards he had in his prime and why they won so many titles. When he was fit to train, the level was really high. I also want Evans to help the young kids beside him.”
Alongside Evans, other confirmed departures include Christian Eriksen – who made 108 appearances for the club – and Swedish defender Victor Lindelöf, along with several academy players.
While Evans’ departure was expected, some may question whether letting such an experienced figure go is the right move amid a crucial rebuilding phase. Regardless, he leaves with a decorated legacy and no shortage of interest from prospective clubs.
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