Fergie Predicts Bright Future for Evans

Sir Alex Ferguson insists defender Jonny Evans has a long-term future at Manchester United and has backed the Northern Ireland international to build a successful long-term partnership with Chris Smalling.

Evans started the season partnering Nemanja Vidic at centre back in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand, but was linked with a loan move away from Old Trafford in the January transfer window.

He has made just one league start since September, with Smalling handed the responsibility of deputising for Ferdinand following another injury setback to the England skipper.

But despite rumours that Evans had fallen out of favour with Ferguson, the United boss is convinced that Smalling and Evans are the future of the team and can build a partnership to succeed Ferdinand and Vidic at the heart of the United defence.

"They're young, but Evans for example has already played a lot of games for us," Ferguson told the club's official website. "He played almost three quarters of the matches last season. He is well grounded in terms of what's needed here. His time will come.

"One of the first things I said to Martin Edwards when I first came to United was, 'you don't have very good partnerships at the centre of defence', and the goalkeeping situation was never a regular thing either.

"When we got Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister it was an incredible turnaround in consistency. The knowledge they gathered together, particularly with Bruce and Pallister, gave them that understanding. And they seldom missed games. That's something you build over time.

"That just shows that partnerships are vitally important. We've seen that with Nemanja and Rio, and hopefully Jonny and Chris can develop that too."

Owen In Line for Return

Michael Owen could return to the Manchester United squad for Saturday's trip to Wigan.

Owen last featured in the FA Cup win at Southampton last month and, since then, he suffered a groin injury in training that it was feared could rule the 30-year-old out for an extended period, possibly the remainder of the season.

However, the damage was not as severe as had been depicted and Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Owen is in contention for the encounter at the DW Stadium. "Michael is back training and could be available tomorrow," he said.

Of the rest, only veteran winger Ryan Giggs is in contention to play, either at Wigan or Tuesday's crucial clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

"The situation has not changed very much," Ferguson said. "We are trying to get Ryan fit.Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans should both be back for Liverpool next weekend.

"Ji-sung Park is still two weeks away. Anderson will probably be back in three weeks, he's back in Portugal now and we'll have to see how he progresses.

"[Antonio] Valencia is doing well in training but it's difficult to assess when he'll be back. We have to make a decision as to how he feels given he's been out for so long. He could be back in two weeks hopefully."