Man Utd academy graduate becomes free agent as former Premier League club release statement

Manchester United academy graduate Corry Evans is on the hunt for a new club after being released by League Two side Bradford City following the conclusion of a short-term contract in West Yorkshire.

The ex-Sunderland and Hull City man, who is the brother of United defender Jonny Evans, joined the Bantams at the start of October on a contract until January. His deal has now expired and the former Premier League side have opted not to renew. Evans left the Black Cats at the end of last season and took a few months to find a new club. He made nine appearances in all appearances for Bradford.

A club statement confirmed: “Bradford City can confirm Corry Evans has left the club following the expiration of his contract. The experienced midfielder featured nine times in all competitions during his stay in BD8, with six of his outings coming in Sky Bet League Two. Everyone at Bradford City wishes Corry the best for the future and thank him for his services to the club.”

Evans left United in 2011 in search of more game time. He made a permanent move to Hull City after spending the second half of the 2010-11 season on loan at the East Yorkshire club. Ahead of his move, he said: “It’s a club [United] you grow to love. I supported Man United as a child but if the day comes I won’t be afraid to move on. It’s my career and I’m not going to sit about in the reserves for the rest of my life. If first-team opportunities don’t come there I know I’ll have to look somewhere else.”

Evans battles back from injury

The Northern Ireland international suffered a torn ACL playing for Sunderland two years ago and spent 15 months out of action as a number of set-backs delayed his return. He featured for Sunderland a handful of times towards the end of last season before departing.

He said of his injury: "Retirement never crossed my mind, not once. My injury was a straight ACL tear. I was always confident I would get back to my level again, it was just a matter of being patient."

"Initially I thought I'd done a ligament on the outside of my leg, that's where the pain was. There was no thought of ACL, that wasn't mentioned. The physios probably thought it, but they didn't tell me it. It wasn't until the next day that I went for the scan. I was shocked when I was told it was a rupture of the ACL. When you hear ACL, you think the worst, don't you?"

Pride in brother Jonny

Evans was in attendance at the FA Cup final back in May as United shocked rivals Manchester City to lift the trophy at Wembley. Jonny Evans was a 73rd-minute substitute in the game as he added to his personal collection of honours won with Manchester United - having been part of three Premier League winning sides and the 2008 Champions League squad under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Speaking about the final back in May, Evans said: "I took my son along and I don't think he will ever forget it. I was so proud of Jonny. He did well in the cup final, but it wasn't just Saturday, he's done unbelievably well this season. I think he has shown what a quality player he still is and I think he deserved to play a part on Saturday. It was a proud moment for the whole family.

"Any time Jonny was called upon he did unbelievable. I think if you asked him at the start of the season, I don't think he would have expected to be playing in another FA Cup final, and winning it, with Manchester United. But football is a strange game and he is still showing he has the quality and the fitness and everything else that goes with it, to be part of a team like that. He has done incredibly well, and probably played a lot more games than he expected. Fair play to him, it's another medal. It is some career and the family are immensely proud of him."