Manchester United's second signing of the summer wasn't what anyone was expecting after it was announced Jonny Evans has returned to the club.
It's not a typical signing, just yet at least, as Evans has only signed a short-term contract so he can take part in the Edinburgh and San Diego legs of United's pre-season tour. The veteran defender has been training at Carrington in recent weeks to maintain his fitness as he looks for a new club following his departure from Leicester City.
After sessions with the Under-21s and senior sides, Evans has impressed Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff enough to earn a chance to play for his old club once again. The manager is in need of defensive reinforcements for the upcoming pre-season friendlies after left-back Tyrell Malacia and young centre-back Rhys Bennett were ruled out of the tour with injuries.
Academy graduate Evans spent over a decade at United, making just shy of 200 appearances, and could make his second debut in Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Lyon in Edinburgh. The 35-year-old has been named in a 24-man squad to take on the Ligue 1 side.
ALSO READ: United confirm 24-man squad for Lyon friendly
Ten Hag completely changed his starting XI for the second half in the friendly win over Leeds United last week, giving several youngsters an opportunity to impress. If the same happens again, Evans will likely partner Will Fish for the second 45 after replacing first-choice pairing Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Evans will then travel with an Under-21s squad for San Diego to take part in a friendly against League Two outfit Wrexham on July 25. The first team will head to New York to face Arsenal on July 23 before moving to Houston to challenge Real Madrid on July 26.
There is uncertainty in United's defensive ranks as Harry Maguire's future remains unclear. The centre-back was earmarked for a departure ahead of the window and saw the captaincy taken away from him by Ten Hag on Sunday. However, United's £50million asking price could scupper any chance of a departure.