Jonathan Grant 'Jonny' Evans Biography | Jonathan Grant 'Jonny' Evans News

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. 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 2006–2007 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, 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 Premiership, it was confirmed in June 2007 that Evans would be staying at Manchester United to push for a place in the first team.

On 4 January 2008, Evans rejoined Sunderland on loan for the second time, and was immediately drafted into the first team squad.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.

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.

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.

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. 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 2006–2007 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, 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 Premiership, it was confirmed in June 2007 that Evans would be staying at Manchester United to push for a place in the first team.

On 4 January 2008, Evans rejoined Sunderland on loan for the second time, and was immediately drafted into the first team squad.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.

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.

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.

Evans' 17-year-old 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.

On 19 December 2007, BBC News Online reported that Evans had been arrested in connection to an alleged rape that occurred at the hotel where Manchester United's Christmas party was held, with a Greater Manchester Police spokesman being quoted as saying: "A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape this evening after presenting himself to police. He remains in custody for questioning." He had been bailed until 23 February 2008. On 8 March 2008, it was reported that Evans will not be prosecuted for any offence.

Evans' 17-year-old 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.

On 19 December 2007, BBC News Online reported that Evans had been arrested in connection to an alleged rape that occurred at the hotel where Manchester United's Christmas party was held, with a Greater Manchester Police spokesman being quoted as saying: "A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape this evening after presenting himself to police. He remains in custody for questioning." He had been bailed until 23 February 2008. On 8 March 2008, it was reported that Evans will not be prosecuted for any offence.