Fergie expects long Evans stay

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said he expects defender Jonny Evans to be at Old Trafford for another 10 years.

Last Updated: 21/12/12 at 15:31 Post Comment   

Jonny Evans: Penned a new deal

Jonny Evans: Penned a new deal

Ferguson made the statement on the day he refuted speculation Paul Scholes had decided to quit and insisted Ryan Giggs could extend his career for two more years.

Evans has gradually emerged as one of United's defensive linchpins, stepping in for both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic during the pair's many injury absences over the past four seasons.

The Northern Irishman's consistency has been rewarded with a four-year contract extension that will keep him at United until June 2016.

And Ferguson expects him to be around for a lot longer.

The United boss said: "When he and Rio played together consistently last season our results improved.

"He has been with us since he was a kid of 12.

"He always had talent, although when he was younger I was never sure whether he was going to be a midfield player or a centre-back.

"But he has played over 140 games now, which is more or less saying he is established.

"And he is still young. As a 24-year-old a centre-back he should be playing for the next 10 years. Hopefully it will be for United."

Although nothing can be taken for granted with Ferguson, it is implausible a man who turns 71 on New Year's Eve will still be in charge for the next decade.

Scholes, Giggs and Ferdinand will not be around either.

With Ferdinand still to decide whether he will remain at United for another season and sidestep lucrative offers from elsewhere, and both Scholes and Giggs appearing to become increasingly marginalised in another Premier League title challenge, perhaps it is no surprise the end of an era has been predicted for next summer.

In Scholes' case in particular, there appears no emotional attachment to a career that has seen him compared with the very best players of his generation.

And, less than 12 months after reversing his initial retirement decision, another does seem entirely plausible.

Ferguson, though insists no such decisions have been taken.

And for Giggs, whilst only making 12 appearances in all competitions this term, the Scot still believes his influence on the dressing room is a positive one.

"It is interesting because Scholesy says very little," said Ferguson.

"I would be surprised if Paul had spoken to some pal without speaking to me - and he hasn't - so we can dismiss that.

"Ryan could play for another year or two and Rio's form this year has been terrific.

"It is the kind of speculation you expect and comes from our policy of only giving older players one year contracts but I wouldn't pay it too much credence."

It is not entirely unknown for Ferguson to cloud such issues in a smokescreen, although such is Scholes' no-nonsense attitude there seems to be little point.

No matter what their long-term futures hold, over the coming festive programme they are bound to be required.

Five fixtures in 22 days is a test of every side's stamina, so, after a glut of injuries, Ferguson is delighted to have options for Sunday's trip to Swansea.

"Rafael won't make Sunday, he is still out with a hamstring injury, Nani is out and Shinji Kagawa starts training with the first team on Monday," said Ferguson.

"But Nemanja Vidic is doing great in training. It is just a matter of picking the time to bring him in from the start, and with Smalling, Jones, Ferdinand and Evans available it gives me options."

United did the double over Swansea last term but Ferguson acknowledges the south Wales outfit may be a tougher proposition this time around as Michael Laudrup seems to have brought even more improvement from one of the most watchable teams in the top flight.

"Swansea have made a lot of progress over the last few years," he said.

"They have the courage to play their football, which is good.

"At this time of year all these games are challenges because they come thick and fast and utilising the squad will be important.

"Hopefully we can get through it and be in the same position as we are now."

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