Phil Jones is expected to follow Chris Smalling by signing a new contract with Manchester United but the future of another centre half, Jonny Evans, appears increasingly uncertain.

Smalling ended any hopes that Arsenal had of signing him in the summer by agreeing a new four-year deal yesterday that will tie him to Old Trafford until June 2019.

The 25-year-old has shown signs in recent weeks of finally starting to deliver on the potential that persuaded United to pay Fulham £10million for his services in 2010 although it remains to be seen if he can put behind him the injury problems that have hindered his development.

“Chris has improved and developed immensely during the short time that I have been at the club and has