Jonny Evans
Former Greenisland player Jonny Evans in action for Manchester United first team in July 2006.
Former Greenisland player Jonny Evans makes his debut for Manchester United.
It has been quite a year for former Greenisland player Jonny Evans. Last year the eighteen year old defender was part of the successful treble winning Reserve Team at Old Trafford, lifting the Manchester Senior Cup, Premier Reserve League North, and Premier Reserve National League Title. A call up for his debut at Under-21 level with Northern Ireland soon followed to cap off a great season, but the start of the present campaign has seen Jonny make his senior debut for the first team on their tour of South Africa where he featured as a second half substitute in the opening game against Orlando Pirates, and playing the full game in the final match of the tour against Kaiser Chiefs.
With players still recovering from World Cup duty and an increasing injury list Jonny was again selected for the games against Glasgow Celtic, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3-0 win, and again against Preston North End in a 2-1 defeat.
A return to normal reserve duty was interrupted when, with an unusual amount of injuries, the Manager again called Jonny into the first team at short notice mid-way through their Amsterdam Tournament. Jonny played the full game, hitting the post late in the second half, and playing well in a game that saw United win their first trophy of the season with a 1-0 win over Ajax.
Finally Jonny replaced John Oshea at half time in their penultimate pre-season game, a 4-1 win at Oxford United.
With United almost back to full strength Jonny will now spend the new season on loan at Royal Antwerp FC in the Belgian Second Division where it is hoped he can develop further as a player for the future.
Jonny
Evans: The story so far.
Kaizer Chiefs Rock United to Win Vodacom Cup
By Chris O'Brien - July 25 2006(http://www.sportnetwork.net)
United's
South Africa tour ended on a low note as they lost the Vodacom Challenge Cup
final on penalties to the Kaizer Chiefs. The Red Devils lacked firepower in
front of goal as they were forced to settle for a goalless draw, and the Chiefs
went onto show greater composure from the penalty-spot.
Manchester
United's tour of South Africa ended in disappointing fashion as the Red Devils
were beaten on penalty-kicks by the Kaizer Chiefs.
The
two teams battled out something of a dour goalless draw as the Red Devils
ran out of steam on the final leg of the three-match tour. The tourists missed
numerous chances and then paid the penalty as goalkeeper Ben Foster and Chris
Eagles both missed from twelve yards to hand the Chiefs a surprise win to
the delight of the South African supporters.
Sir
Alex Ferguson made four chances from the team that edged out the Chiefs on
Tuesday night, with Dong Fangzhou earning a starting berth following his impressive
display as substitute. Luke Steele, Phil Bardsley and Jonny Evans were
also all added to the starting XI as the squad started to show signs of fatigue
following a hectic week, which even included a visit to Nelson Mandela.
United
started stronger and went close through Kieran Richardson and Dong, though
Shaun Bartlett kept Steele alert at the other end as he proved his potential
with a string of impressive saves.
As
the half wore on, Dong proved a constant threat but was not rewarded for his
effort. Fletcher and Bardsley both proved the Chinese striker with chances,
before he sent a neat half-volley wide of the post moments before the interval.
His frustration summed up the opening 45 minutes for United as the Chiefs
backline proved difficult o break down yet again.
The
Chiefs gained in confidence as the second-half got underway and Steele did
brilliantly well to deny Schalkywk an opener. At the other end, Dong, Giggs
and Richardson went close but there was to be no way through for either side.
So,
the game went straight to penalty-kicks and United got off to the worst start
as substitute goalkeeper Ben Foster, a surprise first taker, saw his effort
smash against the crossbar. The dangerous Shaun Bartlett took advantage for
the Chiefs, with David Jones, Mooki and Patrice Evra all doing the business
from the penalty spot to make it two each.
South
African international McCarthy missed a crucial penalty to give United hope
and Kieran Richardson put the Reds back up as he held his nerve. Chiefs then
levelled up in controversial circumstances as Motaung fired home - though
the player had already been substituted and therefore should not have been
eligible to restore parity.
The
crucial miss was United's fifth and final penalty as Fernandez denied Chris
Eagles. The Chiefs 'keeper then got up and converted the winning penalty to
send the Africans into ecstasy. For United, the outcome is disappointing but
the tour will be looked upon as a success with many of United starlets proving
their potential as quality players.
Full
Time - Kaizer Chiefs 0-0 Manchester United
(Kaizer Chiefs win 4-3 on penalties)
Kaizer
Chiefs Fernandez, McCarthy, Mayo, Obua (Nengomasha
46), Nzama, Spencer, Mototo (Mooki 46), Nkosi (Zwane 46), Schalkwyk, Bartlett,
Motaung Jr.
Substitutes Not Used: Wuest, Tau, Mkhonza, Mathebula, Ngobese, Djiehoua, Radebe,
Agyemang, Sibeko.
Manchester
United: Steele (Foster, 77), Bardsley,
J Evans, Brown, Evra, Fletcher (Miller, 77), Scholes, Giggs, Richardson,
Rossi (D Jones, 59), Dong (Eagles, 77).
Substitutes Not Used: Simpson, O'Shea, Gibson, Solskjaer.
Jonny (third left) on the subs bench with team mates in South Africa
Celtic v Manchester United
(26-7-06)
18 year old defender Jonny Evans scored
the opener for Man Utd in their 3-0 pre-season win
over Celtic . Evans was making only his second start for the first team,
having kept his place alongside Wes Brown following United's final tour match
in South Africa.
Evans is going to be spending this
season on loan to play in the Belgian Second Division for United feeder-club
Royal Antwerp. He told MUTV:
"I am looking forward to playing
competitive football in a different culture - it will be an experience being
involved in Belgium.
And on the Celtic match: "Wes has
been one of my idols the last two years and I really look up to him. To be
alongside him and see the way he plays was great for me. It was also a pleasure
to be on the same pitch as Paul Scholes as he has been one of the best players
ever."
Sir Alex Ferguson says he wouldn't be
surprised if Evans makes his Northern Ireland debut this year.
(http://www.canyouhearus.co.uk/aws/archives/000624.html)
Great Evans
By
Jim Gracey
06 August 2006
Northern Ireland kid Jonny Evans was in dreamland last night as he answered an SOS to help suspension and injury-hit Manchester United win the Amsterdam tournament.
Belfast lad Evans (18) only flew in yesterday morning to boost United's depleted ranks after an emergency call from boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Northern Ireland U19 star Evans was plunged straight into a side robbed of Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes after their double sending off in Friday night's victory over Porto.
He took his place in a defence missing Rio Ferdinand and John O'Shea through injury - and turned in a superb performance against hosts Ajax, going close to scoring with a shot against the woodwork as Ryan Giggs secured a 1-0 victory and tournament success with a late free kick.
The downside of United's win was a serious-looking ankle ligament injury to new signing Michael Carrick.
A lengthening
injury list could now see Evans and Derry-born Old Trafford team-mate Darron
Gibson have their loan moves to Belgium's Royal Antwerp put on hold to be
available for the start of the Premiership season.
Fergie praise for Evans
By Lewis Rutledge - Created on 12 August 2006
(http://home.skysports.com)
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped defender Jonny Evans for a bright future.
Following a series of impressive displays during pre-season, the 18-year-old is heading out to Royal Antwerp for a season-long loan in Belgium.
Ferguson expects the Belfast-born centre back to come back to Old Trafford next term and challenge for a first team spot, and also to make the step up to international level within the next 18 months.
"Jonny has been here since he was 12 years of age. We have an academy in Belfast which has produced some terrific young players for us, and the scouting system in that part of the country has been very, very good to us," Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News.
"Jonny has wonderful composure, temperament, balance and stature and in a year's time he will be absolutely outstanding.
"I think he will play for Northern Ireland in the next year and a half, even though he is only 18.
"And I am
100 per cent certain he will be a Manchester United player."
Jonny
Evans first day at Royal Antwerp
J.E. IMPRESSED BY R ANTWERP FANS: "IT WAS SOME EXPERIENCE!" |
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The Antwerp
fan day once again turned out to be a tremendous success.
The new Mancunians appreciated their welcome at Bosuilstadium.
Before even touching the ball once in the colours of R Antwerp
Frazier Campbell, Jonathan Evans, and Darron Gibson were loudly applauded
by the Royal Antwerp fans. "This is a very special experience
for us!" Jonathan Evans reacted. "We already heard from
the other players that the supporters are very close to their team,
but we never expected this to happen. There were aprrox. 7000 fans,
and there wasn't even a game on. I have already signed a large number
of autographs, although nobody ever saw me play. It only makes me
more eager to start playing and making it here." |
Jonny
with teammates and Man Utd Staff.
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Jim Ryan,
Jonathan ‘Jonnie’ Evans, Frazier Campbell, Darron Gibson, coach Andy Welsh
and Brian McClair, Man.U. Academy Director |
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