Why Jonny Evans Is the Manchester United Player with Most to Prove in Pre-Season

Manchester United's senior squad reported for training Monday morning with the future of several key players up in the air. As they head into pre-season, there are many with something to prove.

Antonio Valencia will want to show that the club do not need to bring in a new right-back but that he can handle being first choice.

Wayne Rooney's place in the squad might be secure, but he will be keen to show he can be trusted to be United's line-leading No. 9 during the season ahead.

Youngsters who have been around the squad awhile without making a big breakthrough—like Nick Powell and Jesse Lingard, for example—will be eager to demonstrate what they can offer Louis van Gaal.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Those young players who are newer on the first-team scene, like Andreas Pereira, will also be hoping the tour and training regimen of "preparation time" will give them the chance to catch their manager's eye.

However, of all the players in the senior squad with a lot to prove, Jonny Evans stands out. Evans is 27 now and should be entering his prime as a central defender. However, it currently seems difficult to imagine him nailing down a place in Van Gaal's thoughts as a starter for United.

It has been a rough summer for the Northern Irishman. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have both been given new contracts. United have been linked with a lot of centre-halves, including some of the best in the world. Sergio Ramos, for example, continues to be involved in a transfer saga.

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Carlos Forjanes and Agustin Martin of AS reported Monday that Ramos' wages have been agreed, and the transfer is now contingent on the two clubs coming to an agreement.

If Ramos—or a player of even close to his calibre—arrives, then Evans would seem to be fourth choice in the centre-back pecking order. Had any doubts existed over Jones' or Smalling's futures, then his position would be less obvious, but with the club showing a clear sign of faith in the England pair, it seems fairly logical to assume Evans is in trouble.

Last season saw injuries plague him, something which is hardly atypical of his career so far. He also suffered a long suspension although that always seemed a little harsh. Even when he was playing, though, he rarely impressed.

That is partially mitigated by the fluctuating systems he was part of and the constant interruption from injury and suspension. However, his historic form over the past couple of seasons offsets that mitigation.

Jon Super/Associated Press

In essence, Evans has struggled with the transition from junior to senior partner.

When he played alongside Nemanja Vidic and particularly Rio Ferdinand, he looked full of promise. There were mistakes, certainly, but that is natural for a young centre-half. There were plenty of plus points—a mostly calm head on his shoulders and some fine instincts in terms of timing. He was also very good in possession.

When Vidic and Ferdinand left, he should have been next in line. However, instead, Smalling and Jones have probably both passed him in the pecking order. If Ramos or A.N. Other arrives, they will likely be ahead of him, too.

However, all reason for him to hope is not lost. Ahead of last season, few would have predicted the importance of Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young to United's fourth-place finish. The chance now exists for Evans to prove his doubters wrong by impressing Van Gaal over the next few weeks.

Jon Super/Associated Press

The pressure is on, though. With Smalling and Jones entrenched and new signings presumably on their way, this could be the last chance for him to save his United career.