Jonny Evans still grateful to Keane for Sunderland chance

Evens played an important role in helping Sunderland win from the Championship as champions before joining again a year later, making 16 appearances to help keep them in the Premier League.

Currently with Leicester, Evans views the time learning from Keane at Sunderland as key to his growth as a player and thinks it helped him break into the United first-team under Ferguson.

"It was my first time playing competitive league football in England. When you are a young player and making your way up, you always wonder whether you can make that next step up," Evans told the 'Belfast Telegraph'.

"And it was the next progression for me at that time. I was grateful that Roy gave me that opportunity to go to Sunderland as I had been on loan at Antwerp.

"I thought that I was going to be there (in Belgium) for the season, but then word went around that Sunderland were interested and he was the manager.

"It was a no-brainer and I could not wait to get up there. It was a great experience", he added.