Manchester United defender Jonny Evans admits he'd be happier if skipper Nemanja Vidic was available.

Vidic said he still "has a long way to go" after knee surgery and declared his hope to "be right for the start of next season." But while this long absence appears to present the likes of Evans with an opportunity, the Belfast boy would prefer his skipper to be available.

"Obviously Nemanja is going to be out for quite a while with his knee," Evans told manutd.com. "But you don't wish injuries on anyone and when you play for a club like Manchester United, you have to expect a lot of competition.

"I'd much rather Nemanja was fit and in the squad because there have been times recently when other defenders have been injured as well and people like Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia have had to go back into defence which is not ideal."