Evans must be patient - Ferdinand - Sport in brief

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Sir Alex Ferguson rebuffed Sunderland's approach to buy Evans this summer and has already assured the defender he is a big part of United's long-term future, but the 20-year-old will be making only his fourth start of the season when he faces QPR in the Carling Cup at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

And, from his own experience at a similar age when he was at West Ham, Ferdinand knows Evans will be desperate for more, saying: "Jonny needs to be patient. The problem is he will also want to play as many games as possible. I was the same when I was a kid."

He added: "I was behind the likes of Slaven Bilic, Alvin Martin and Marc Rieper.

"But I didn't look at how good they were, I just wanted to play. I wanted the manager to at least give me a game here and there. Jonny will be thinking that too."

Ferdinand's advice is for Evans to watch and learn in training to make sure any snippets of information are added to his own game, ensuring the Belfast-born youngster plays to his potential when called upon.

There has been no problem on that score this season, with Evans impressing in Champions League outings against Villarreal and Celtic, plus the Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Ferdinand has no doubts his fellow centre-half will make the grade at Old Trafford.

"Jonny has been called upon a few times already in big games this season and done brilliantly," said the England star. "He is a great player. It is crazy to think he is so young. Roy Keane tried to buy him in the summer, which tells you a lot.

"He is good with both feet. He is playing regularly for Northern Ireland and will maybe become their captain in the near future. It explains why the manager made him realise he needs to stay here. He will have a major part to play at this club in the coming years."