Manchester United - Jonny Evans

Belfast-born Jonathan Evans is a tall and agile centre-back. An intelligent defender, he combines an uncompromising physical approach with the ability to pass the ball out from the back.

Jonny has risen through the United ranks to become an integral part of the first team squad, with Sir Alex Ferguson admitting: "His United future is assured." The Northern Ireland international - who received his first call-up before he had even made his United debut - has blossomed into one of the most promising young defenders around.

Ever since he was handed a Champions League squad number at the start of the 2005/06 season, aged just 17, Evans has been a burgeoning talent waiting to burst to prominence. Handed his opportunity by the sale of Gerard Pique in the summer of 2008, Jonny did that during the course of the 2008/09 campaign.

Whenever called upon, Jonny's ice-cool calm is immediately apparent, even on huge stages like the San Siro or Stamford Bridge. His capacity for handling pressure is incredible, and stems partially from the extensive experience he gained out on loan.

Roy Keane, Jonny's boyhood hero, enlisted his former team-mate when he took the managerial reins at Sunderland, and Evans played a lead role in helping the Black Cats reach the Premier League. Midway through the 2007/08 campaign, by which time Jonny had made his United debut against Coventry, Keane came calling again and took Evans back to the Stadium of Light for another six months.

After returning from Wearside, he featured in every one of United's 2008/09 pre-season games, a telling precursor of the youngster's growing status in the eyes of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sure enough, Evans quickly became the Reds' contingency plan for whenever the rock-solid partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic was broken up, filling the breach in every competition - including the Reds' Club World Cup final and League Cup final victories, while 16 Premier League starts ensured a hat-trick of medals for the young defender.

PROFILE:Birthdate: 02 Jan 1988
Birthplace: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Position: Defender
Appearances: 48
Goals: 0
Joined United: -
United Debut: 26 Sept 2007 v Coventry City (H)
International N. Ireland