Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United’s star defender, urged rookie Jonny Evans to be patient for his battle to get a first-team berth.
Red Devils boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, rejected approach made by Sunderland for buying Evans during the transfer season. Ferguson assured the 20-year old player that he’s a part of United’s long term plans.
Evans is going to make only the fourth start of this season, when Devils face QPR at Old Trafford in a 4th round Carling Cup encounter.
From his own experience (as he also faced the same situation in West Ham), Ferdinand has an idea of what Evans is going through.
England Defender said ‘Jonny requires being patient. The main problem is that he’ll also look for playing more games for the club. I wanted to the same when I was at his age playing for West Ham United.’
‘I had to wait, as the likes of Alvin Martin, Marc Rieper and Slaven Bilic always made the squad.’
‘I didn’t care for their reputation! I just wished to be a part of the first-team. I wanted my manager to give me one game in between. Jonny might also be thinking the same.’
Ferdinand had no doubts that his fellow centre-half was sure to topple the best by playing at the Old Trafford club.
‘Jonny has been called upon for big games in this season and done brilliantly. He’s a great player and the enthusiasm shown by Roy Keane (Sunderland’s manager) for buying him says a lot of his caliber.’
