Manchester United defender Jonny Evans is happy to be the elder statesman in relation to young defensive teammates Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

The centre-back was in excellent form before picking up an ankle injury that ruled him out of the draws with Stoke and Basel and it's expected he will push for a return when fit again.

"I guess I'm still classed in the young bracket but I do have a bit of experience," he told United Review, the official matchday magazine. "And, when I'm on the pitch, I want to try and help some of the newer faces.

"It's my fourth season at the club since I went out on loan at Sunderland, so I feel like there's advice I should be trying to pass on to the young guys. I can't just sit back and continue to let other people show me the ropes. I've been here long enough to be beyond that point now."