- Rio Ferdinand has criticized Manchester United’s decision to sell Jonny Evans to West Brom in 2015, under the management of Louis van Gaal.
Ferdinand believes that Evans, who had been groomed to be his successor at center-back, should have remained at the club. Evans, a product of United’s youth system, was sold for £6 million after over a decade at Old Trafford.
His departure followed a turbulent period, which included a six-match ban for allegedly spitting at Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse in March 2015. Evans never played for United again after the incident.
Ferdinand revealed that when the club decided to sell Evans, he was baffled and questioned who had approved the decision.
He argued that Evans was Manchester United’s best defender at the time, with more experience than his teammates Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. Ferdinand emphasized that Evans understood the club’s culture and values, making him a crucial player to maintain the team’s identity.
Despite his exit, Evans returned to Manchester United in 2023 after being released by Leicester City at the age of 35.
He impressed current manager Erik ten Hag during pre-season training, earning a one-year contract. Evans ended up playing more games than expected due to an injury crisis, and in the 2024-25 season, he was named Man of the Match in a Premier League game against Aston Villa.
Phil Jones, another former United defender, agreed with Ferdinand’s assessment and praised Evans’ abilities. Jones highlighted Evans’ quality as a top player, suggesting that his recent performances are no surprise given his talent.
Ferdinand’s views were echoed by former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who expressed regret in 2021 that Evans was no longer a Manchester United player.
Solskjaer stated that Evans should have been part of the club, but acknowledged that managerial changes sometimes lead to unexpected player departures. Both Ferdinand and Solskjaer stressed the importance of players like Evans, who have deep connections to the club, in preserving Manchester United’s legacy and culture.
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