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

He has proven himself to be strong in the tackle and dominant in the air at youth level, and in 2005/06 he made significant inroads into United’s Reserves, playing 14 matches and contributing two goals.

He was also handed a European squad number at the start of the season and trained and travelled with the first team squad. He was included in the group that went to Paris to face Lille Metropole in November

2005.

Jonny's unquestioned promise led to a shock international call-up to the senior Northern Ireland side at the start of the 2006/07 season.

His outstanding displays on the international stage, together with some phenomenal performances on loan for Royal Antwerp, lend credence to the notion that Evans has what it takes to forge a career for himself in United's first team.

Evans' development certainly caught the eye of his boyhood hero Roy Keane. The Sunderland manager snapped up the youngster within days of his Antwerp loan ending.