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Manchester United stalwart Jonny Evans played with many Red Devils legends (Picture: Getty Images) Jonny Evans played with a string of iconic players during his Manchester United days, but feels two teammates stood out as a level above the rest. The centre-back had two stints at Old Trafford, firstly from 2006-15 before making a surprise return in 2023. His first spell saw him play 198 games in all competitions, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League and two League Cups. He came back in a very different time for the club, making 43 appearances and adding the FA Cup to his CV in 2024. The Northern Irishman played alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, but it was two other players he was more in awe of than any of those stars. The defender felt Red Devils legends Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were a cut above the rest of the squad and did things he didn’t realise were possible on the training ground. ‘I always thought Scholes and Giggs were on another level to the rest of the team,’ Evans told Sky Sports. ‘Even though we had world class players I felt like their IQ was just a little bit higher than everyone else’s. Paul Scholes, Jonny Evans and Ryan Giggs celebrate the Premier League title in 2013 (Picture: Getty Images) ‘The both of them, they’d do things, more on the training pitch than anything, and you’d think, “I didn’t even know that existed. I’ll never be able to get to that level.” It’s just a different level.’ Scholes won 11 Premier League titles with Manchester United, while Giggs managed 13, while both won two Champions Leagues with the club. Evans not only played alongside these greats but faced many of the world’s best during his time with the Red Devils, but also the likes of West Brom and Leicester City. Picking out the three most challenging strikers he took on, he turned to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City legends. Jonny Evans remembers tough days out against Luis Suarez (Picture: Getty Images) ‘I’d go straight to [Luis] Suarez at Liverpool,’ said Evans on his toughest foes. ‘I’d probably go Suarez, [Didier] Drogba and [Sergio] Aguero. Over the years those three stand out more than the others.’ On Suarez he added: ‘You just never knew what you were going to get with him. He’d bobble the ball through your legs. He could do everything. He was strong, brave, a real handful.’ Suarez, Drogba and Aguero in the Premier League Luis Suarez Assists: 23 Didier Drogba gave plenty of defenders nightmares (Picture: Getty Images) Didier Drogba Assists: 54 Sergio Aguero Assists: 47 Evans hung up his boots at the end of last season and moved into a new role at Manchester United as head of loans and pathways, working on short-term moves for young players at the club. He wrote in June this year: ‘I want to officially announce my retirement from my playing career, not with sadness, but with pride, gratitude and excitement for the next chapter ahead. ‘I’ll be forever indebted to the managers, coaches, staff and, of course, my team-mates, that I have had the privilege of working alongside throughout my 20 years in professional football. ‘Having had experience of loans myself, I know the crucial role that they can play within a player’s development. I am excited to help further develop the pathway to our first team and continue the legacy of young players thriving at Manchester United.’
