Ferguson heaps praise on Evans

Jonny Evans has starred in NI's last three games

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Northern Ireland youngster Jonny Evans.

The United youngster's loan spell at Royal Antwerp has coincided with him winning his opening three international caps for Lawrie Sanchez's side.

"He's got a wonderful temperament," Ferguson told BBC Northern Ireland's Season Ticket programme.

"He's quick, he reads the game and he has a good technique on the ball. He's got everything."

Ferguson plans to send Evans on a further loan spell to another club before taking the 18-year-old back to Old Trafford.

"What he needs now is to get experience because young defenders do make mistakes.

"His spell at Antwerp and wherever we put him in his next spell will give him that experience so when he comes back to Manchester United, he'll be ready to compete for a first team place."

The 18-year-old Manchester United defender made an impressive debut in the 3-2 win over Spain in September and he went on to produce outstanding displays against Denmark and Latvia.

Evans caught Ferguson's eye to the extent that the Scotsman included the youngster in the United squad for several pre-season games.