Former Sunderland defender Gary Rowell has backed Manchester United youngster Jonny Evans to become a club great.

In his column for the Sunderland Echo, Rowell wrote: "He was absolutely fantastic for Sunderland in two loan spells - helping the club to get promoted on his first stint and helping keep them up in his second.

"I think he's going to be a great, great player and I'm pleased for him that he's come on so much at Old Trafford this season, he looks a special talent and he seems like a nice lad too."