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Manchester Evening News

Man Utd defender Jonny Evans on 'surreal feeling' as he receives MBE award

The Northern Ireland international has been honoured for his services to association football in Northern Ireland.

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans alongside the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace
Manchester United defender Jonny Evans alongside the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace(Image: PA Media)

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has described receiving his MBE as 'a surreal feeling'.


The 35-year-old was honoured in King's Birthday Honours List in June and was present at Buckingham Palace on Monday as he spoke briefly with the Prince of Wales. Evans rejoined the Red Devils as a free agent earlier this year and has so far made a total of eight appearances this season.


He currently boasts a whopping 106 caps for Northern Ireland and was awarded the medal for his services to association football. Despite being relegated with the Foxes last season, the former West Brom defender can look back with fond memories of his time at the King Power, winning the FA Cup back in 2021.


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United manager Erik ten Hag has often been forced to utilise the defender more than he may initially have planned to do so, given the spell of injuries seen at Old Trafford so far this season. Evans himself is currently recovering from a setback he sustained prior to the international break against FC Copenhagen.

"I feel very privileged. It was a great experience for the family," said Evans. It was obviously quite a surreal feeling to be up there and to meet the Prince of Wales. We were chatting football mostly and that was nice, it was a nice little moment."

"It's something [the MBE] that has come at the end of reaching 100 caps for my country and I feel really, really proud about it. The amount of text messages I've had…people are really excited," added Evans. To be able to bring my wife and my mum and dad down to Buckingham Palace for the day, it's just an incredible thing."

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