Man Utd set to hand Jonny Evans permanent contract in fresh blow for Harry Maguire

Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal for Jonny Evans, a move that has placed Harry Maguire's future in further doubt, it has been claimed.

Evans was involved in United’s pre-season tour of the US after being given a short-term deal covering the summer.

The 35-year-old, who came through the ranks at United before being sold in 2015, had been training with the club’s Under-21 team to keep fit while he considered his options after leaving Leicester City upon their relegation at the end of last season.

However as per the Telegraph, United manager Erik ten Hag was impressed by Evans in training and felt the Northern Ireland star could prove a good option as cover at centre-half.

Evans played almost 500 career club games, the vast majority in the Premier League, and also has 102 caps for his national team.

The publication has claimed United and Evans have been in talks over a deal until the end of the season and the situation is likely to be resolved within days.

And the arrival of a sixth option at centre-back could have implications on Harry Maguire's future.

United accepted a £30million bid from West Ham for Maguire earlier this window but a deal fell through, with the centre-back reportedly holding out for a pay-off from the Old Trafford club.

However the England international appears to have fallen behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and even left back Luke Shaw in the United pecking order.

Evans featured in a behind closed doors friendly against Burnley at Carrington on Wednesday, a game that saw a United side featuring Anthony Martial, Donny van de Beek and various fringe players fall to a 3-0 loss.

Elsewhere, United will be without Mason Mount for between four and six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained in the Spurs game. Meanwhile, fans are still waiting for a first sight of Rasmus Hojlund, who has been sidelined since his move from Atalanta this month.