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The youngster's display at Old Trafford today had his manager purring.
With Rio Ferdinand still missing with a back problem, there were probably some mutters of concern amongst the Manchester United faithful as to whether young Ulsterman Jonny Evans could step into the England centre-back's boots and play with the authority and confidence that such a big occasion as a game against Chelsea demands.
Evans proved that there was no need for any doubt this afternoon, as he produced a display of maturity and strength of which Ferdinand himself would have been proud, the Belfast-born youngster handling everything that Didier Drogba and his team-mates threw at him.
And his performance had his manager almost drooling with delight after the game.
"He was marvellous," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV.
"For a young boy, 21 only a week ago, he was absolutely superb. His reading of the game, his use of the ball... he was a giant today like many of our players. I was very pleased for the boy."
Centre-back partner today Nemanja Vidic was also delighted with the young man, who has started four of the eight league games United have played since November without conceding a goal.
"I think the whole team was good, but I think Jonny did very well. We didn’t lose a goal, which for defenders is a great thing," said the Serb, who netted the Red Devils' first today with a header from a corner.
United now sit in third in the Premier League table, with 41 points from 19 games. Chelsea are a point ahead in second with 42, whilst Liverpool top the league with 46. Both Liverpool and Chelsea have played two games more than United.
With Rio Ferdinand still missing with a back problem, there were probably some mutters of concern amongst the Manchester United faithful as to whether young Ulsterman Jonny Evans could step into the England centre-back's boots and play with the authority and confidence that such a big occasion as a game against Chelsea demands.
Evans proved that there was no need for any doubt this afternoon, as he produced a display of maturity and strength of which Ferdinand himself would have been proud, the Belfast-born youngster handling everything that Didier Drogba and his team-mates threw at him.
And his performance had his manager almost drooling with delight after the game.
"He was marvellous," United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV.
"For a young boy, 21 only a week ago, he was absolutely superb. His reading of the game, his use of the ball... he was a giant today like many of our players. I was very pleased for the boy."
Centre-back partner today Nemanja Vidic was also delighted with the young man, who has started four of the eight league games United have played since November without conceding a goal.
"I think the whole team was good, but I think Jonny did very well. We didn’t lose a goal, which for defenders is a great thing," said the Serb, who netted the Red Devils' first today with a header from a corner.
United now sit in third in the Premier League table, with 41 points from 19 games. Chelsea are a point ahead in second with 42, whilst Liverpool top the league with 46. Both Liverpool and Chelsea have played two games more than United.
