Jonny Evans' Man Utd departure ends outstanding club record which has stood for 52 years

A quite remarkable stat involving Sir Alex Ferguson and Jonny Evans has emerged in the aftermath of Manchester United's win over Aston Villa on the final day.

Evans, who graduated through United's academy ranks before making 198 first-team appearances between 2006 and 2015, returned to his boyhood club in the summer of 2023 after impressing then-manager Erik ten Hag in pre-season.

He made 13 appearances in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign but on Sunday afternoon, the former Northern Ireland international ended a long association with his boyhood club, coming on as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa.

In fact, he was denied a dream farewell in the dying embers, when his stoppage-time header was saved by goalkeeper Robin Olsen.

Still, the 37-year-old defender was given a rapturous reception on his final competitive appearance for the Reds, with the Old Trafford faithful handing him a hearty applause as he left the pitch for the final time as a player.

After the full-time whistle, Evans' wife Helen shared an emotional farewell post alongside several pictures of her husband. She wrote: "12 years later, 8 year break in the middle and 3 kids added to the squad... over and out OT."

A remarkable stat then emerged following the defender's exit.

As per The Athletic's Will Jeanes, Evans' departure means that next season will be the first at Manchester United since 1973-74 without a player who played for the club under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Evans' return in 2023, when David de Gea left the club following a 12-year stay, kept the record going.

Tom Heaton, who is currently United's third-choice goalkeeper, was contracted to United when Ferguson was in charge between 2005 and 2010 but the experienced shot-stopper never made a competitive appearance under the Scot.

An emotional Evans says goodbye to the Old Trafford faithful. Image credit: Getty

Evans made 241 appearances for United. Image credit: Getty

Evans, meanwhile, has been included in Ruben Amorim's 32-man squad for their upcoming Asian tour.

United will travel to the 84,000-capacity Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on May 28 for their opening game of the tour against ASEAN All Stars before facing Hong Kong on the afternoon of May 30.

A picture on the club's social media channels confirmed that a number of academy graduates have also been included in the squad, including Tyler Fletcher, Jack Moorhouse, Jim Thwaites, Sekou Kone and Shea Lacey.

Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte have also travelled alongside Alejandro Garnacho, who is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer after being told to find a new club.

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