EVANS, HEATON OUT THIS SUMMER
Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans look set to close the chapter on their Manchester United careers this summer, with both veterans expected to leave the club at the end of their current contracts.
According to Fabrizio Romano, United are not planning to extend the deals of either player as new head coach Ruben Amorim begins laying the groundwork for a broader rebuild at Old Trafford. While nothing has been officially confirmed by the club, it seems increasingly likely that both Heaton and Evans have already made their final contributions on the pitch for United.
The pair are among the most experienced figures in the squad and have long-standing ties to the club. For Heaton, it has been a return to his roots — the 39-year-old came through the Manchester United academy before rejoining in 2021, some 11 years after his first departure. Although opportunities have been scarce, he finally made his long-awaited senior debut in a Champions League match against Young Boys in December 2021.
Despite not making a single appearance over the last two seasons, Heaton has remained a trusted presence in the background. He was even selected as a training goalkeeper for England during the 2023 European Championship preparations in Germany — a testament to his professionalism and experience. Most recently, he found himself on the bench for United’s clash with Newcastle after Andre Onana was dropped, marking his first appearance in a Premier League matchday squad since November.
Evans, meanwhile, has had a more hands-on role in what has also been his second stint with the club. A product of the famed Class of 2000s, the Northern Irish centre-back made 198 appearances during his first spell at United, winning three Premier League titles and two League Cups under Sir Alex Ferguson before moving on to West Brom in 2015.
Following his release from Leicester City in 2023, Evans returned to Old Trafford as a short-term solution to the club’s defensive injury crisis. While few expected him to feature regularly, the 37-year-old impressed when called upon, showcasing the calm composure and reliability that made him a trusted figure in his prime. He has made 12 appearances this season, including several starts in the Premier League, though his last outing came against Tottenham in the Carabao Cup back in December. A persistent injury has since kept him sidelined.
Evans had already retired from international football last year, and with fitness issues continuing to mount, there is a growing sense that the curtain may be coming down on his playing days entirely. Should he decide to hang up his boots, a move into coaching — potentially at United’s Carrington training base — has already been speculated.
The same path could be in store for Heaton, whose off-field influence is highly regarded by coaching staff and players alike. Previous reports have suggested both players could be offered backroom roles, as Manchester United look to retain their wealth of experience and club knowledge in some capacity.
As United prepare for a new era under Amorim, the departures of Heaton and Evans would mark the end of two quietly important but very different careers. Neither may have been centre-stage in recent years, but their professionalism, leadership, and connection to the club have made them valuable squad members in their own right. Whether their next step is into coaching or a well-earned retirement, their contributions — especially during transitional periods — won’t be forgotten at Old Trafford.