Jonny Evans Is the Manchester United Player with Most to Prove in 2015

This wasn't the way it was supposed to go. Six months after Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic left Old Trafford, Jonny Evans was meant to have cemented his place as Manchester United's senior centre-back.

But he hasn't. Instead, he's fighting for his future. And he can't afford any more setbacks. On or off the pitch.

Evans has found the first few months under Louis van Gaal hard. He's had to adapt to an unfamiliar system, almost learning how to defend all over again. On top of that, his injury problems have resurfaced.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

He was injured during pre-season and missed the first two games of the season. Then an ankle problem picked up during the 5-3 defeat at Leicester forced him to sit out nine games through October and November. You don't get a second chance to make first impression on a new manager.

Since making his United debut as a 19-year-old in 2007, Evans has always been in the shadow of Ferdinand and Vidic. This season was his chance to prove he was the ready-made replacement. But it hasn't happened like that.

He turned 27 on January 3. There is a tendency always to think of academy graduates as blossoming talents. But he's entering his peak years. Yet he's still having games like the one against Stoke on New Year's Day when he looked timid and nervous.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

It brought back memories of his disastrous performance against West Ham in the League Cup in 2010. He was hauled off after 72 minutes having made Carlton Cole look like Pele as United lost 4-0.

But he recovered from that nightmare evening in the sleet and snow at Upton Park to play 40 games for Sir Alex Ferguson the following season. And he will have to recover his form again quickly if he hopes to stay at Old Trafford under Van Gaal.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling won't have convinced the United manager, either. But they are 22 and 25 respectively and have more time on their side than Evans.

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Van Gaal's rebuilding job hasn't finished. In fact, the £155 million he spent in the summer was probably just the start. As the Dutchman looks to add more world-class players to his squad, like he has already with Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Victor Valdes, it makes those he inherited vulnerable to the axe.

Van Gaal has already brought in Marcos Rojo to bolster his defence, and more are likely to follow before the start of next season. Time in running out for Evans if he hopes to play a part in the next stage of United's development.

It wasn't supposed to be like this. But at the halfway stage of his first season user Van Gaal, he still has plenty to prove.