Manchester United fans didn't expect to read the words "Jonny Evans is back in training," this season.

Evans was photographed driving into Carrington in July and sources refused to rule out the possibility he was re-signing for United, which suggested it was under consideration. The defender eventually arrived in September on a season-long contract to provide cover. But he's made 14 starts in all competitions and has been called into action more frequently than he thought.

Evans is a United academy graduate, his renaissance in Manchester has been one of the stories of the season and he's been a helpful presence in a tumultuous campaign.

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Some critics would say that a 36-year-old defender, who is out of contact in a matter of weeks, returning from injury being seen as a boost for United emphasises how low the standards at Old Trafford have dropped. But such an assessment would be harsh.

It is true on the surface. United should have enough quality, reliable defenders on the books to have ensured re-signing Evans wasn't necessary, but there was logic in bringing him into the club on a short-term deal in case a nightmare scenario occurred.

That nightmare scenario has happened - the injury crisis has been unprecedented and unrelenting - and Evans has proved to be an important signing. There were fears he would struggle to maintain fitness when he signed, but he kept a clean bill of health for the first half of the campaign and has only lately picked up a few minor injuries.

Evans has missed 10 games through injury and that seems par for the course for a player his age. He's firmly in the winter of his career but there's a case to be made to extend his deal by another year, particularly given Raphael Varane could leave in the summer, along with Victor Lindelof.

Evans has shown he's a capable backup option and United could do worse than having him as fifth choice again. He would also be happy with that role and continue to be a good influence off the pitch.

While there's no denying the optics of giving Evans a 12-month extension wouldn't be great, what truly matters is whether he will provide United value for their investment in his wages. He has objectively achieved that since re-signing and, just a few months ago, he was even in the conversation to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.

Others like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Diogo Dalot, have since overtaken him in that pecking order but it shows how highly regarded Evans is. Giving him another one-year contract is certainly not as daft as it might sound.