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Born in Newtonabbey, north Belfast, Jonathan "Jonny" Evans is the latest in a long line of Northern Ireland footballers to start his football career at Old Trafford. He began as an under 16 at Manchester United's football youth Academy in 2004.
Evans was given a chance in the first team in 2006 when he played in 2 of the 3 games on the club's summer tour of South Africa and then started in domestic friendlies against Celtic (in which he scored), Preston North End and the 2006 Amsterdam Tournament. He spent some of the 2006-2007 season on loan at United's feeder club Royal Antwerp with the likes of Darron Gibson, Danny Simpson and Fraizer Campbell.
In September 2006 Lawrie Sanchez gave him his full Northern Ireland debut at left back and he was excellent on the night in what turned out to be a famous 3-2 victory against Spain at Windsor Park. In December 2006 he was loaned to Roy Keane's Sunderland and the Irishman said on Evans arrival: "Jonny looks a done deal. I am absolutely delighted with that because he will be a top player.
"He is young, hungry and he is a tough lad. I have seen him play enough times."
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The young defender is certainly considered by Sir Alex Ferguson to be a real prospect for the future, a steady and composed player, good on the ball and also versatile across the back. Evans solid performances in defence would prove instrumental in helping Keane's Black Cats storm the Championship by finishing top and clinching promotion to the Premiership. In June 2007 he vowed to stay at Old Trafford and fight for a first-team spot after his four-month Sunderland stint ended.
He commented: "The manager has made it clear that I won't be going out on loan again. I'll be back at United and we'll see what happens. I'll be involved in pre-season and he has more or less said that I will get games. I am a Manchester United fan and it has been my aim since I signed for the club to get into the first-team. The incentive is there for me now and I want to be good enough to be playing for United." Evans also has a younger younger brother at Old Trafford, midfielder Corry Evans has been given a 2 year professional contract with the Reds in July 2007.
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