A young defender for who great things have been predicted, Evans has established himself as an able deputy for United's first-choice defensive partnership of Rio Ferdiand and Nemanja Vidic, and has proved his big-game credentials time and again over the past few seasons.

A centre-back who has played at full-back for his country, he is a product of United's academy and like many of Old Trafford's youngsters he spent time at Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp for the first half of the 2006-7 season. Evans made his international debut for Northern Ireland in a memorable 3-2 victory over Spain in September 2006, and has been an ever-present since. Like pal Danny Simpson, Evans returned to England from Belgium as a loanee to Sunderland, and he became a key player in Roy Keane's successful push for promotion.

After Evans won Sunderland Young Player of the Year in 2007, Keane hoped to extend his loan for the 2007-08 season but Sir Alex Ferguson chose to recall him to Old Trafford. Despite making his debut in a League Cup defeat to Coventry City and appearing twice in the Champions League, Evans' hopes of challenging for a first-team place at Old Trafford failed to materialise and in January 2008, he was reunited with Keane for a second loan spell with the Wearsiders.

Ferguson recalled him again for the 2008-09 season and the United manager's decision to sell Gerard Pique to Barcelona was testament to his belief in Evans' ability. The Northern Ireland youngster impressed in filling the void left by an injured Ferdinand and he continues to provide consistent and steadfast cover.

The 2010-11 season was a difficult one for Evans as he often saw Chris Smalling used as preferred cover for Ferdinand and Vidic, but despite the arrival of Phil Jones for the 2011-12 campaign, Sir Alex Ferguson showed his faith in the Northern Irishman time and again - particularly in the injury-enforced absence of skipper Nemanja Vidic - and he made 28 Premier League starts before signing a new contract in late 2012.

Strengths: Calm under pressure and relaxed in possession, Evans looks every bit an heir-apparent to Ferdinand.

Weaknesses: Admitted himself that he lacked confidence in bringing the ball out of defence in his breakthrough season and must continue to improve that facet of his game. Not as physically commanding as Vidic and Ferdinand.

Career high: Playing an integral part in Edwin van der Sar's record breaking run of clean sheets in his breakthrough season at the club in 2008-09.

Career low: A weak performance during the first-half of the 2009-10 Champions League second round match against AC Milan at the San Siro led to a stern and very public dressing down from Sir Alex Ferguson.

Style: Composed and tough; a centre-back with all the attributes to succeed at the highest level.

Quotes: "He will probably be Northern Ireland captain at some point in the near future. He's a top, top player and he'll have a major part to play at Old Trafford in the coming years." Rio Ferdinand praises his team-mate.

Trivia: Evans' younger brother, Corry, is a Manchester United academy player and the pair played together in a 2010-11 pre-season game against Philadelphia Union.