Jonathan "Jonny" Evans

[**manutdlover**]

Jonathan "Jonny" Evans (born 2 January 1988 in Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a Northern Irish football central defender who currently plays for Manchester United. Evans started his career at Greenisland FC where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United's football Academy to play in several foreign tours in the summer of 2006. He then went on loan to Royal Antwerp and Sunderland before rejoining Manchester United in the summer of 2007. Evans made his Manchester United first team debut in the 2007?08 League Cup and has also played in the UEFA Champions League.
Career
Evans was scouted while playing for Greenisland FC, the same club which his brother Corry and Craig Cathcart played for before moving to Manchester United. Evans progressed through Manchester United's football Academy, featuring in two of the club's three games during the 2006 summer tour of South Africa, as well as domestic friendlies against Celtic and Preston North End. Evans also made a surprise appearance in the Amsterdam Tournament against Ajax. Evans spent the first half of the 2006?2007 season on loan at Manchester United's Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp, alongside fellow youngsters Darron Gibson, Danny Simpson and Fraizer Campbell
Sunderland
In December 2006, Evans agreed to join Sunderland on loan until the end of the season, with Manchester United and Antwerp team-mate Danny Simpson joining on a similar deal in the January transfer window. The pair helped Sunderland clinch the Coca Cola Championship title, with Evans winning the clubs "Youth player of the year" award at the end of the season. Although manager Roy Keane was hopeful of re-signing Evans on loan following promotion to the Premiership, it was confirmed in June 2007 that Evans would be staying at Manchester United to push for a place in the first team
Manchester United
Evans made his Manchester United debut on 26 September 2007 against Coventry City in the Football League Cup. Unfortunately, his debut ended in a 2-0 defeat. He then appeared as a late substitute for Gerard Piqué in a UEFA Champions League match at home to Dynamo Kyiv on 7 November 2007 to secure Manchester United's qualification to the knockout stages of the competition. He subsequently made his first Champions League start on 12 December 2007 against Roma
International
Despite not yet making his debut for the senior Manchester United team, Evans was called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time in September 2006, making his debut in the memorable 3-2 victory over Spain. Evans has since retained his place in the squad



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 has trained and travelled with the first team squad, and was 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 Lawrie Sanchez's senior Northern Ireland side at the start of the 2006/07 season.

His outstanding displays on the world stage, together with some phenomenal performances on loan for Royal Antwerp, lend credence to the whispers 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.

Jonny spent the rest of the 2006/07 season at the Stadium of Light, and tasted defeat just once in 19 appearances as the Black Cats stormed into the Barclays Premier League as champions.

Evans' fine form on Wearside caught the eye of many clubs, but he looks set to spend the 2007/08 season at Old Trafford as Sir Alex looks to afford him some valuable first team football at United.


I love Jonny!  He's a really good defender too and I thought he deserved a thread  Hope he had a Happy 20th Birthday after all that has gone on in his life over the last few weeks 
Some pics of him:



^^Jonny, Fraizer Campbell and Darron Gibson


^^With his Girlfriend Kate

[cookie]

thanks! his girlfriend has weird eyes lol i like him i hope to see more of him in the future

[HCos]

Evans joins Black Cats

Sunderland have signed United defender Jonny Evans on loan until the end of the season.

The centre-back, who turned 20 this week, enjoyed a successful spell on loan at the Stadium of Light last season as Roy Keane's men earned promotion to the Premier League.

Sunderland attempted to re-sign Evans again at the start of the 2007/08 campaign, but Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to keep the Northern Ireland international as defensive cover.

Evans has made three appearances for the Reds this season - once in the Carling Cup and twice in the Champions League. He is yet to make a Premier League appearance for United and his first top-flight experience will now come for the Mackems.

The Sunderland official website reports that Evans will go straight into Keane's squad for Saturday's FA Cup third round clash with Wigan Athletic at the Stadium of Light.

Evans becomes the third United youngster this week to go out on loan. Kieran Lee has joined QPR and Michael Barnes has signed for Chesterfield. Both loan deals are until the end of the season.

From manutd.com


I think he needs to go to a club like Sunderland to get playing time before he breaks through into the United team properly so this is good for him in my opinion

[cookie]

it seems that sunderland is adding more red devils i hope he´ll have a nice time there

[-Agurk]

I hope he has a good time in sunderland, and hopefully he'll brake through in United when his time comes. Both Pique and Jonny seems like exciting players i hope will brake through with time. It would be exciting to see Evans/Pique partnership

[**manutdlover**]

An Evans/Piqué defensive would be great! 

Dream return for Jonny
Jonny Evans says he's got the dream return he was looking for since the start of the season.

The Manchester United centre-back enjoyed a successful loan spell with Sunderland last year, when he lost just once in 18 Championship games on his way to claiming a title-winning medal.

But since returning to Old Trafford, the 20-year-old has featured in only a handful of games for Sir Alex Ferguson's side - a 2-0 Carling Cup defeat at home to Coventry, plus Champions League run-outs against Dynamo Kiev and Roma.

And in an exclusive interview with SAFC TV, the Northern Ireland international says he's glad to be back for a second loan spell with the Wearsiders.

"I've always wanted to come back, right from the start of the season," admitted Evans.

"I thought another season out on loan, just to get some games, and I enjoyed my time here last season.

"I've been following Sunderland since the start of the season and I've been trying to kick every ball! I'd be watching them with my family who are all Sunderland fans after last season."

There was a hint of déjà vu about Evans' return to Sunderland...

"I remember travelling up on my 19th birthday last year to speak to the gaffer and it's been a parallel this year, I came up on my birthday again (Wednesday)," he says.

"Hopefully I can reproduce what we did last year. We were so dominant in the Championship last season but there is a massive gulf in class.

"Sunderland have made some quality signings so hopefully we can support each other, help each other do what's best for Sunderland, and the aim is to get out of the relegation battle."

source：safc.com

Keane axe fast and warns: Jonny be good
05/01/2008
Roy Keane has warned he will not tolerate "losers" as he snapped up Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, and made bids for Matt Taylor and Phil Bardsley.
The Sunderland boss says he is sick of having to make excuses for players who do not capitalise on match-winning chances.
And he has vowed to pull players into his office "and say off you go" to arrest the Black Cats' bottom-three form, as well as dive into the transfer market to boost his squad.
Keane landed Evans on loan from Old Trafford and wants to get the Northern Ireland defender playing games after a month in which he was at the centre of rape allegations during United's Christmas party.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp confirmed that Keane has bid £3million for left-sided utility man Taylor, who was in the north east for talks yesterday, and he could arrive along with United defender Bardsley early next week.
Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage is also a target for Keane who insists he will be ruthless.
The Irishman, whose side entertain Wigan in the FA Cup today, said: "Enough's enough of the ifs and ands. I am sick of it. We lost at Blackburn and it was typical Sunderland, a chance to take something from the game.
"I've got all Sunderland match programmes from previous years in the Premier League, every previous managers' and captains' notes were the same, 'we were unlucky', 'ifs, buts, if-onlys'. It's the same old story, same old record.
"The penny has to drop, you can't let points pass you by. There comes a time when you have to take the players out who aren't producing. Players can get used to winning and they can get used to losing.
In any walk of life some people are winners and some are losers.
Some you don't want to be associated with, they're dour and bad luck and you avoid them."
Keane, though, reckons Evans will boost his side. He joined on loan last January and never played in a losing side as Sunderland were promoted to the top flight. And Keane is not worried by the allegations Evans faced last month. He said: "When you're in the public eye things get exaggerated and I've had that myself.
"My dealings with Jonny show he's a top lad and I've no qualms about bringing him in. You're innocent until proven guilty."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/01/05/keane-axe-fast-and-warns-jonny-be-good-89520-20275511/

I dont think Keano will have anything to worry about with Jonny

[**manutdlover**]

Congrats to Jonny who made his premiership debut on Sunday 

Premier chance is Evans sent for me
Jan 14 2008 by James Hunter, Evening Chronicle

JONNY EVANS has vowed to seize his chance with Sunderland and prove his Premiership pedigree.
The on-loan Manchester United defender turned in a flawless display on his Premiership debut, helping Sunderland to a 2-0 win over away-day specialists Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light.
Evans joined Sunderland on loan at the beginning of the month until the end of the season ? exactly the same situation as 12 months ago when he helped the Black Cats win the Championship.
The 20-year-old Northern Ireland international has represented the Red Devils in the Champions League and Carling Cup games, but this was his first top-flight appearance. Evans, who went off in the final 10 minutes suffering from cramp, said: ?I have played more international games than Premier League games.
?I am 20 now and I feel it is about time I made my mark in the Premier League.
?To get a win on my Premier League debut is fantastic, but the lack of games showed and I could feel my calves starting to tighten about 10 minutes before I eventually went down with cramp.
?It was great to get 75 minutes under my belt and I am sure I will get stronger.
?After having such a great time here last season I feel like there is unfinished business for me at Sunderland and hopefully I can play a part in us climbing the league.?
Evans was a key player in the Wearsiders? promotion campaign last season, but he admits helping keep the Black Cats in the top flight this term would be an even greater achievement.
He added: ?I have not had the chance to play in the Premier League for Manchester United, but it is a big step up from the Championship.
?Last season was incredible, but helping to keep Sunderland in the Premier League would be a bigger achievement.
?The manager is looking to bring a few more lads in, but I think there is a good enough squad to stay in the Premier League.?
Both Sunderland?s goals came from midfielder Kieran Richardson in the first half but, equally pleasing for boss Roy Keane will have been his side?s clean sheet.
It was only Sunderland?s third shut-out of the campaign ? the others were against Spurs and Derby ? but on each of those occasions they have taken all three points.
Evans said: ?It was good to keep the clean sheet.
?Portsmouth had a good chance early in the game but, apart from that, they did not get behind us that often.
?The clean sheet felt as good for us as defenders as the goals must have for Kieran.
?He deserved the man-of-the-match awards, though, because he got the goals.
?Not only that, he was back at the end making tackles and doing his bit to make sure we did not concede.?


Jonny can reach for the stars, says Roy
Sunderland boss Keane is full of praise for defender Evans
Monday, January 14, 2008
By Steven Beacom
Roy Keane has predicted that Northern Ireland star Jonny Evans is going to get better and better.
The Sunderland boss was today full of praise for Evans, who is on loan from Manchester United, following his side's impressive 2-0 win at home to Portsmouth yesterday.
Defender Evans was in outstanding form helping to keep Pompey at bay in what was a vital victory for Sunderland in their fight to avoid relegation.
Belfast man Evans has been in the news recently of course - although on the front pages - so he will be delighted to be hitting the headlines for his football on the pitch.
Certainly Northern Ireland fans have respected his ability since he made his international debut in September 2006 when David Healy scored a stunning hat-trick in a 3-2 victory over Spain at Windsor Park in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
That night Evans played at left-back. He has also played at right-back for his country but it is at the heart of the defence that he is most comfortable.
Evans played an important role for Keane on loan last season as Sunderland won promotion to the Premiership.
This season he made his full debut for United, playing in the Carling Cup and Champions League before Keane persuaded Sir Alex Ferguson to allow him to take Jonny back to the north east where he could play more first team football.
Evans is happy with that and so is former Old Trafford hero Keane, one of the hardest men to please in football.
"Jonny did very well for us yesterday," said Keane.
"And you have to remember he hasn't had that many games this season. He will feel the benefit of playing more games.
"He did superbly for us last season and we are glad to have him back at the club.
"He's a good lad, has a good head on his shoulders and has a bright future ahead of him. The more experience he gets, the better he will become."
Evans wasn't the only Northern Ireland player to shine in the top flight at the weekend. Indeed all told EIGHT of Nigel Worthington's players were involved in Premiership action - the largest number for some time.
Maik Taylor and Damien Johnson were superb for Birmingham in their 1-1 draw at Arsenal while George McCartney got one over his international team-mates David Healy, Aaron Hughes, Steve Davis and Chris Baird when West Ham beat Fulham 2-1 on Saturday.

[**manutdlover**]

It was said that he was out on bail until tommorow so does anyone know what will happen now? Will he have to go back to the police? 

[kim1987]

He remains in custody for questioning." He has been bailed until 23 February 2008.which is tomorrow saturday

[-Agurk]

Oh , hope this matter is put to an end tomoorrow then.
Good Luck to Jonny. I believe he is innocent!

[kim1987]

yeah me too good luck Johnny i hope the case gets dropped.i say its all lies like the Ronaldo one before its just lying girls trying to get money from the footballers.

[**manutdlover**]

he played for sunderland yesterday so do ye think that the case has already been dropped?

[**manutdlover**]

From Times Online
March 27, 2008

Jonny Evans would consider Sunderland move
Jonny Evans, who is currently on loan at Sunderland from Premier League rivals Manchester United, said he would consider making the move permanent.

The 20-year-old Northern Ireland international midfielder is desperate to make his name with United - the club he supported as a boy - and to prove himself to Sir Alex Ferguson. However, having impressed during his two loan spells at the Stadium of Light under Roy Keane, the former United captain, Evans says he is open to the idea of leaving Old Trafford for good should he be deemed surplus to requirements.

"When Roy Keane says he wants you, it's a massive compliment," he said. "If he wanted to make this move permanent, it's something I would want to talk about. Playing in the Premier League in games that matter is what it's all about, and what I want to be doing for a few years to come. But nothing has been said at all by Sunderland or Manchester United about anything beyond this season."

Keane's admiration for Evans is well known - the defender played a major part in the club's surge towards the Coca-Cola Championship last season - and it is no secret that the manager enquired over his availability on a permanent basis during the close season.

But Ferguson had his own plans for the promising youngster, and, having named him in his first-team squad, handed him a start in the 2-0 Carling Cup defeat by Coventry City and a taste of Champions League action against Dynamo Kiev and Roma.

However, when Keane enquired once again in January, Ferguson agreed to another loan deal and Evans has started all 11 games since his return to Sunderland.

Evans, who played in Northern Ireland's 4-1 win over Georgia last night, said he was delighted to be playing regularly for the club he used to cheer on as a youngster. "I am really enjoying playing a full part in Sunderland's season," he said.

"Sometimes it seems a bit unreal that I am back at Sunderland. It didn't look like it was going to happen when the gaffer (Keane) asked the question early in the season and United wanted me there. But it's great to be playing and testing myself in Premier League games, and it's something I want a lot more of. United is the club I support and to have the chance to make it there is still a great opportunity that no player surrenders easily. But if I was ever going to leave Manchester United, Sunderland would definitely be an option for me - if they want me."
well you are coming back to United, Jonny! 

[lovecr717]

come back johnny!
btw, how old is his gf, Kate?

[**manutdlover**]

^ She's 20, same age as him but she's a few months older than him!