United defender set for exit

Manchester United have reached a deal with West Bromwich Albion for the transfer of Jonny Evans to the Midlands club.

Evans, who spent seven seasons at the club after making his debut in 2007, will move to The Hawthorns in a deal worth £6m, rising to £8m with add-ons.

The 27-year-old, who won three Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, has seen his progress at United halted over the last two seasons, as a combination of injury and poor performances meant Evans went from heir apparent to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic to squad player.

He failed to impress under Louis Van Gaal and since receiving a six-match ban for spitting at Newcastle’s Papiss Cisse on 4 March, Evans played only just another game for United, coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace on 9 May.

With Daley Blind, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones clearly ahead of him in the pecking order, Evans’ chances to force his way back into the starting XI were incredibly slim and the move will not surprise many.