Manchester United defender Jonny Evans has expressed his desire to remain at Old Trafford for the entirety of his career after progressing through the club’s youth academy to establish himself in the first team.

The Northern Ireland centre-back has been a regular in the Red Devils starting line-up this season due to Nemanja Vidic’s injury handing him an opportunity to impress.

Evans, 25, had previously spent time on loan at Royal Antwerp and Sunderland in a bid to persuade Sir Alex Ferguson of his ability to play for the 19-time league champions.

“I’d like to end my career with United,” Evans told the Daily Star Sunday. “I’ve had my loan spells over the years but I’ve come through the academy here and now I’m in the first team.

“When I was younger, clubs were asking me to go on trial from about the age of 10. I never went to any other club.

“I knew Manchester United was the place where I wanted to play football. So to play here throughout my career would be something I would look to do, I’d love to do it.”

Evans faces stiff competition for a starting place now that both Ferdinand and Vidic are fit, and he admitted that reaching the level of the experienced duo remains a considerable challenge.

“When I first came into the squad, the level Rio and Nemanja were playing at was unbelievable,” he continued.

“The presence they had, the way they could defend, it was the very top. For younger players to try to emulate that was a big ask; it still is.”

Evans was absent from the Manchester United squad in their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.