Jonny Evans

Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans.JPG
Personal information
Full name Jonathan Grant Evans
Date of birth 2 January 1988 (1988-01-02) (age 23)
Place of birth Belfast, Northern Ireland
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position Centre back
Left back
Club information
Current club Manchester United
Number 23
Youth career
2004–2006 Manchester United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006– Manchester United 38 (0)
2006 → Royal Antwerp (loan) 11 (2)
2007 → Sunderland (loan) 18 (1)
2008 → Sunderland (loan) 15 (0)
National team‡
2004–2005 Northern Ireland U-17 7 (0)
2006 Northern Ireland U-21 3 (0)
2006– Northern Ireland 19 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:18, 28 August 2010 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18:17, 16 October 2009 (UTC)

Jonathan Grant "Jonny" Evans (born 2 January 1988) is a Northern Irish football centre back who currently plays for Manchester United in the Premier League. Evans was born in Belfast and 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 had two spells with Sunderland. He made his Manchester United first team debut in the 2007–08 League Cup, becoming a regular first-team squad member the following season.

Contents

Career

Evans was scouted while playing for Greenisland FC, the same club that his brother, Corry, and Craig Cathcart played for before moving to Manchester United.[1][2] At the age of nine, he was invited to attend the Manchester United Centre of Excellence in Belfast, before being invited for a trial in Manchester a year later. Rule changes within The Football Association at the time meant that clubs were limited to players who lived within an hour and a half of the club, so Evans' opportunities were limited. However, the Evans family soon relocated to Manchester, allowing Jonny to train with Manchester United full-time.[3] Evans progressed through Manchester United's 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 2006–07 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 2006–07 season,[4] 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 Football League Championship title, with Evans winning the club's "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 Premier League, it was confirmed in June 2007 that Evans would be staying at Manchester United to push for a place in the first team.[5]

On 4 January 2008, Evans rejoined Sunderland on loan for the second time, and was immediately drafted into the first team squad.[6] Evans played the 90 minutes in his first game, losing 3–0 to Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup. Evans was criticised for granting Wigan the second goal of the game, for which he lost the ball on the edge of his own box, resulting in a deflected own goal by Paul McShane.[7] His half-season with Sunderland was generally successful, however, and the team avoided relegation.

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 stage of the competition. He subsequently made his first Champions League start on 12 December 2007 against Roma.

Evans made his league debut for United against Chelsea on 21 September 2008, filling in for Nemanja Vidić who was unavailable due to suspension. The game ended 1–1.[8] In December 2008, Evans made two substitute appearances for Manchester United at the FIFA Club World Cup, including one in the final after Nemanja Vidić was sent off shortly after half time. Evans continued to deputise throughout the rest of the season, appearing in a number of league games and in the League Cup final.

International

Despite having not yet made his senior debut for Manchester United, 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.[9]

International goals

Scores and results list Northern Ireland's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 28 March 2009 Belfast, Northern Ireland  Poland 2–1 3–2 2010 FIFA World Cup Qual.

Personal life

Evans' younger brother, Corry, is a Manchester United Academy midfielder.

Evans attended Belfast High School in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, before moving to Ashton-on-Mersey High School in Manchester once he had been signed by Manchester United. He holds nine GCSEs, all A* or A grades.[10]

On 19 December 2007, Evans was arrested in connection to an alleged rape that occurred at the hotel where Manchester United's Christmas party was held.[11] On 8 March 2008, it was reported that Evans would not be prosecuted for any offence.[12]

Career statistics

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other[13] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 2006–07 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Royal Antwerp (loan) 2006–07 11 2 3 0 – 0 0 0 0 14 2
Sunderland (loan) 2006–07 18 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 1
Manchester United 2007–08 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 3 0
Sunderland (loan) 2007–08 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
Manchester United 2008–09 17 0 3 0 5 0 7 0 2 0 35 0
2009–10 18 0 1 0 5 0 3 0 1 0 28 0
2010–11 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 0
Total 38 0 4 0 11 0 12 0 4 0 69 0
Career total 81 3 9 0 11 0 12 0 4 0 118 3

Statistics accurate as of match played 28 August 2010[14]

Honours

Club

Sunderland
Manchester United

References

  1. ↑ Ducker, James (20 December 2007). "Rising star, Jonny Evans, who signed up with dream club, Manchester United, as a 9-year-old". The Times (Times Newspapers). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article3075991.ece. Retrieved 6 September 2009. 
  2. ↑ "Roll Of Honour". greenislandboysfc.com. Greenisland Boys FC. http://www.greenislandboysfc.com/Roll%20of%20Honour.htm. Retrieved 6 September 2009. 
  3. ↑ Evans, Jonny (1 June 2009). "Blog: Jonny's journey to the top". ManUtd.com (Manchester United). http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={83A644F4-1A7E-48B9-AF95-4605613A9A18}&newsid=6632497. Retrieved 1 June 2009. 
  4. ↑ "Sunderland clinch Evans loan deal". BBC Sport. 29 December 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/6217433.stm. Retrieved 19 December 2007. 
  5. ↑ "Evans delivers Sunderland blow". BBC Sport. 6 June 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/6726865.stm. Retrieved 19 December 27. 
  6. ↑ "Evans heads to Sunderland on loan". BBC Sport. 2008-01-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/7171301.stm. Retrieved 2008-01-04. 
  7. ↑ "Sunderland 0–3 Wigan". BBC Sport. 5 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7163974.stm. Retrieved 6 January 2008. 
  8. ↑ McNulty, Phil (21 September 2008). "Chelsea 1–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7613923.stm. Retrieved 23 September 2008. 
  9. ↑ "Northern Ireland 3–2 Spain". BBC Sport. 6 September 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5321964.stm. Retrieved 19 December 2007. 
  10. ↑ "Manchester News – Jonathan Evans". Latest News. Greenisland F.C.. http://www.greenislandfc.com/latest_news.htm. Retrieved 19 December 2007. 
  11. ↑ "Man Utd star bailed in rape probe". BBC News Online. 19 December 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7151624.stm. Retrieved 19 December 2007. 
  12. ↑ "Man United defender Evans won't face rape charges". Reuters. 14 March 2008. http://uk.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUKL141856920080314. Retrieved 14 March 2008. 
  13. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, Intercontinental Cup, FIFA Club World Cup
  14. ↑ Endlar, Andrew. "Jonny Evans". StretfordEnd.co.uk. http://www.stretfordend.co.uk/playermenu/evans_j.html. Retrieved 22 August 2009. 

External links

Manchester United F.C. – current squad

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