Sir Alex Ferguson praises Jonny Evans

Jonathan Grant (Jonny) Evans, the Northern Ireland central defender, has come in for the highest praise from his boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.

Not quite twenty-one years old, Evans has already had a lengthy career.

He began his career at Greenisland FC where he was spotted by United scouts from where he joined the Manchester United Academy.

To gain further experience, Ferguson sent him in loan to Royal Antwerp and Sunderland.

He returned from loan for the 2007/8 season and played for United in the League Cup and UEFA Champions League.

However, in January of this year, he was sent back to Sunderland on loan until the end of the season to gain further experience.

At the end of last night’s fixture against Middlesbrough where the Red Devils won 1-0, Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for his twenty-year old defender.

Evans has come in for the injured Rio Ferdinand and has shown maturity beyond his years, said Sir Alex.

Jonny Evans turns twenty-one on Friday 2 January.

United ready to resume domestic hostilities

Manchester United, suddenly within sight of that Premier League summit, are hungry for three points against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford tonight, with the choice of referee adding spice to an encounter already lent intensity by the clubs' controversial Carling Cup encounter in September.

Martin Atkinson's arrival as referee brings him his first United game since he officiated in United's FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth last March, after which Sir Alex Ferguson's then assistant Carlos Queiroz described him as a "robber" and Ferguson said the official's performance "should not be accepted" and that he had been selected out of favouritism by match officials' head Keith Hackett. Ferguson and Queiroz surprisingly escaped an FA improper conduct charge.

Tonight's fixture has been an intense affair since Gareth Southgate questioned Cristiano Ronaldo's sportsmanship a few years back. The Carling Cup clash that saw Emmanuel Pogatetz launch the ugly foul on United's youngster Rodrigo Possebon for which the Boro skipper was dismissed adds more piquancy.

Brazilian full-back Rafael da Silva may be introduced into a youthful United defence missing both Rio Ferdinand, who is resting a back problem, and Patrice Evra, serving a four-match ban. There is also a possible return for Dimitar Berbatov, who picked up a virus en route to the World Club Championship in Japan.

Fergie eyes title charge

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United have given themselves an excellent chance of winning the Premier League title following the victory over Stoke.

It looked as though Stoke would hold on for a goalless draw at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day until Carlos Tevez converted Dimitar Berbatov's cross with seven minutes to play.

Liverpool and Chelsea remain in front of United in the title race but Ferguson expects his side to improve in the second half of the season.

"If we could get to New Year's Day a couple of points adrift of the leaders we would be very happy," Ferguson told Sky Sports.

"We expect to kick on. We'll give ourselves a great chance if we get into that position."

Ferguson accepts that it was a tricky fixture just days after United's return from winning the Club World Cup in Japan.

He added: "Coming back from Japan we were worried about how it would affect the team but you could see their energy was good. There was no problem with that and they handled it very well.

"It was a difficult game. Sometimes you have to be patient. We took the risk of playing Ryan Giggs at left-back but it was worth it to get three points."

Rio Ferdinand had to sit out after suffering a recurrence of a long-term back injury before kick-off.

He will also miss United's next clash on Sunday but Ferguson does not expect him to be sidelined for too long.

"We have to get to the root of this because he has had this back problem too many times," Ferguson admitted.

"He'll be out against Middlesbrough on Monday. I think in maybe 10 days he should be OK."

Evra targets title treble for Man Utd

Patrice Evra has told his Manchester United team-mates to focus on a hat-trick of Premier League titles.

The champagne corks had barely stopped popping on United's Club World Cup victory at the weekend before France defender Evra turned his thoughts back to domestic action in England.

Not only did United enjoy a successful trip to Japan to end the year as world champions, as well as reigning Premier League and Champions League holders, but they received a further boost as Chelsea and Liverpool wasted their chance to open up a big lead over Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

United could have returned from Asia with a substantial deficit to make up on the top two, but Liverpool's draw at Arsenal and Chelsea's goalless scrap at Everton kept the Old Trafford outfit within seven points of first place, with two games in hand.

Now Evra has already forgotten about United's successful 2008 and is focusing on another trophy-filled 2009.

"My target is to win three titles in a row," he said. "To win it again would be the best feeling. We have the potential to do it but we must keep working hard."

Evra will be missing during United's Christmas fixtures as he serves the four-match suspension handed out by the Football Association for his part in the battle of Stamford Bridge - the post-match row which erupted between United players and Chelsea groundstaff last season.

The former Monaco star is likely to make his first appearance after the ban against Chelsea, at Old Trafford.

"I would like to thank the FA for my little holiday, it means I can spend more time with my family over Christmas," he joked.

"I have thought about the ban every day. Of course, I am happy we have won the trophy but I am still very angry because I don't accept I did what they say.

"When you miss games through injury, you can understand it but to miss four games because of this hurts.

"It's not the best Christmas present for me, that's for sure."

Rooney wants United to be the best in the world

The Manchester United and England striker has World Cup glory in his sights in South Africa in two years.

But his immediate target is this week’s FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, which Rooney sees as a potential delight rather than a distraction in United’s demanding season.

Rooney, 23, insisted: “As a player, you want to be playing all the time – as many games as possible.

“This is another competition for us and we want to win it. It would be a fantastic achievement to come back from Japan as world champions.

“To say you are a world champion, that’s a great thing to say to anyone. We want to be the best team in the world.”

Rooney, who missed last night’s match at Tottenham through suspension, is relishing getting back into action in football-mad Japan.

He said: “I’ve been there before and the main thing that sticks in my mind is the number of people and the noise – it’s so loud.

“There are hundreds of people at the airport, the hotel and the training ground.

“They create a great atmosphere and you want to go there and do well.”

Rooney’s view on the tournament’s importance is shared by his team-mates.

England midfielder Michael Carrick said: “This is not a hindrance. If you want to be successful you have got to accept this and play in more big competitions.

“We want to be in this situation in a year’s time, as that would mean we had won the Champions League again.

“We now have a great opportunity to represent Europe. It should be a great experience for us and we are looking forward to playing against teams we don’t normally meet.”

Dimitar Berbatov, United’s £31million signing from Tottenham, admitted: “I joined Manchester United to play in competitions like this.

“I don’t know a lot about the other teams but I am sure they will be of a good standard. I’m also looking forward to going to Japan – I’ve never been there before. I hope this won’t be the last time.”

Goalkeeper Ben Foster will have to watch from the sidelines after a thumb injury suffered in training ruled him out of the competition.

He said: “We know the stadiums and the pitches will be good and we want to be the first English club to bring back this trophy, so it is a big tournament.”

But perhaps it was France left-back Patrice Evra who best summed up what it is like to be a Manchester United player at a time like this.

Evra said: “It is very important for us to be recognised as the best club in the world.”

In a week’s time, we will know whether that is something else United can claim to be.