When Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both simultaneously said goodbye to their Manchester United team-mates, it left the Old Trafford faithful feeling a nervous apprehension.
Here were arguably the club's two greatest centre-backs both bowing out at the same time just when United needed a flood of stability, as David Moyes' septic tenure came crashing to an end.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson had cultivated a succession plan for this specific occasion over many years, and with Jonny Evans displaying sensational form during United's last title winning campaign, the future looked safe in the Irishman's hands.
And with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling present—both bona-fide England internationals—the centre-back position should not be an issue at Old Trafford.
Fast forward to 2015, and United's defence is looking devoid of any confidence, excellence or leadership.
The Red Devils currently sit third in the Premier League, and with the January transfer window now open, the clamour from fans to purchase a world-class centre-back will be palpable.
Evans has slipped from being a potential United captain to becoming the fall guy in just a few months as injury and form have derailed his standing at the club.
Evans is a typical "Marmite" player for Manchester United supporters. Many believe he has genuine ability and can make the next step in his career—but with the player turning 27 on Saturday, he is no longer one of the kids in the system.
Other fans do not like him or rate him and would rather see the club spend big and hand Evans his P45.
United's switch to three at the back has not helped Evans in the slightest, but the biggest issue for the player is he is being played on the left side of the defence, a problem previously recognised by Ferguson.
Evans has always been a two-footed player who has a good left foot, but it was only in 2012 he was proclaiming how much better he is on the right.
The Daily Mail quoted Evans at the time as he formed a regular partnership with Rio Ferdinand under Sir Alex—with the great manager switching his record defensive buy to the left in order to accommodate Evans:
Growing up I was probably always a bit more capable of using my left foot than whoever was alongside me in the centre, so I ended up on the left side. It's harder bringing the ball out of defence on your left side, though.
When you're passing the ball five yards you're fine using your weaker foot but if you're driving into space and dribbling forward, you ideally want the ball on your good side.
This season I've been able to move to the right-hand side and that's helped me. I've definitely felt more comfortable bringing the ball out and starting attacks.
Evans' comments from 2012 are interesting when applied to the modern United team under Louis van Gaal.
The centre-backs are indeed expected to carry the ball forward, which should be no problem for a cultured player like Evans who started his footballing life as a midfielder.
But the Northern Ireland international looks like he is learning to play the game all over again after spending nine seasons performing the Ferguson way—which, of course, was 4-4-2.
However, if Evans does not adapt to LvG's methods, then his time at United will surely come to a premature end.
In the past, Evans has showed he can recover from huge blips in his form to find his feet and once again become influential.
But with Van Gaal's radical change in tactics—and moving from a flat 4-4-2 system that Sir Alex employed across three decades—Evans needs to improve fast or he will be sacrificed.
The small passage of play during United's New Year's Day visit to Stoke City when Evans made several mistakes, allowing Mame Biram Diouf a free shot at goal, typified where the Irishman is in his head right now.
The window is now open, and United will be ruthless in the marketplace. If a top-level centre-back becomes available, Van Gaal will go and get him. Smalling has certainly shown small improvements in recent weeks, and, at 22 years old, Jones still has time on his side.
So it will be left to Evans to somehow convince his manager, and the faithful, if he is still worth the time and the space.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2317023-jonny-evans-time-at-manchester-united-is-running-out
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