Man Utd's next signing will be the Glazers' latest insult to fans

James Shearman

• Updated: 19 Aug 2023 11:02 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are in talks to sign 35-year-old defender Jonny Evans for the 2023-24 season.

Evans signed a short-term deal last month to help out the club during pre-season.

The Northern Ireland international featured against Lyon, Wrexham, Borussia Dortmund and Athletic Bilbao.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd transfer plans in jeopardy as Maguire and Amrabat deals stall

He was not expected to play a part in United's Premier League campaign but things have changed.

"In this moment, he is not [under contract] but we are talking," said manager Erik ten Hag.

"We will see. We are in talks and when we have news we will bring it."

But Ten Hag should not want Evans in his first-team squad - United fans certainly won't.

The centre-back, who left United in 2015, is no longer at the level to be a part of the playing squad and has should not be offered a new deal.

This is a prime example of the club's owners, the Glazers, finding a cheap solution.

Offering him a contract will be far cheaper than signing a talented young player to develop behind Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane and that's why the Glazers are considering it.

The Glazers' future

There is now ‘real concern’ that the Glazers will not sell Manchester United despite the extensive process that numerous groups and consortiums have gone through to obtain the Premier League side.

Among the frontrunners were Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and the Ineos Group, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who had submitted offers upwards of £5billion in May.

But now MEN have reported that there are huge doubts over whether a takeover will take place, with the unpopular Glazer family remaining in control.

There have always been murmurs that the American owners are reluctant to sell and that there is a divide in the family over what the best cause of action is.

Joel and Avram Glazer, the club’s co-chairmen, are thought to be among the ones who wish to remain.

The Glazers effectively put the club up for sale nine months ago and even invited bids, but no agreement has been found between the buyers and the owners.