Jonny Evans, the last active player to have played under legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has officially announced his retirement from professional football.
The 36-year-old Northern Irish defender had recently confirmed his departure from Manchester United. Now, with his retirement, a significant chapter in the club’s storied history comes to a close. Evans was the final player whose career began under Ferguson, who took charge at Old Trafford in 1986. Evans made his senior debut for United in 2006.
Throughout his career, Evans made 536 club appearances, scoring 24 goals and providing 16 assists. On the international stage, he was a stalwart for Northern Ireland, earning 107 caps between 2006 and 2023, with six goals and three assists to his name. He is one of only four players to reach 100 international appearances for Northern Ireland.
Evans began his club journey with Manchester United, and early on, he had loan spells with Royal Antwerp in Belgium and Sunderland in England. In 2015, he left United to join West Bromwich Albion, before moving to Leicester City. In 2023, he returned to his boyhood club, Manchester United, for one final stint.
While Evans may not have been the biggest star, his career was filled with success. He won 12 trophies with United, including three Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League, and a FIFA Club World Cup. He also won the Championship with Sunderland and the FA Cup with Leicester City.
With Evans’ retirement, starting from the 2025 season, there will be no players left at Manchester United with a direct connection to Sir Alex Ferguson’s era. His farewell marks more than just the departure of a defender — it signifies the end of a truly historic era.
