Evans warns United of Davis
Manchester United defender Jonathan Evans has warned his team of the threat posed by Rangers FC midfielder Steven Davis ahead of the two clubs' Champions League encounter on Tuesday.
"Steve is technically and physically one of the best midfielders I have seen coming out of Northern Ireland," Evans, a regular for United's first team since the 2008-09 season, said about his Northern Ireland teammate. It suggest Evans is warning his side, who'll come in as favourites, from getting too complacent against a tough Rangers squad.
Davis signed for Premier League side Aston Villa at 17 and went on to make 91 league appearances for the club between 2003 and 2007. He won several internal awards at Villa, among them the "Player of the Year" award at the end of the 2005-06 season.
After a brief spell at Fulham, Davis joined Rangers on loan in January 2008, a deal that was made permanent the following summer. At the Glasgow club, he has won the league, the Scottish Cup and the League Cup, all two times over.
Davis has thrived on the wing for Rangers, netting a few important goals, among them the winner in the 2008-2009 season's Old Firm derby.
"He has fantastic ability and the Rangers fans love him. He started off brilliantly at Villa but it did not quite work out for him at Fulham," Evans said. "However, he could definitely play for a Premier League team."
United look to improve in Europe
United begin their European campaign against Rangers after a disappointing bid last season.
Having won the competition in 2008 and reached the final in 2009, Sir Alex Ferguson's team was handed an early exit by Bayern Munich in last year's quarter-finals.
"When we look back at the Champions League last year we still are disappointed," the defender said. "We were in control against Bayern Munich, even away from home because of the early goal we scored... If we had have beaten Bayern Munich we would probably have gone on to win it."
Aside from Rangers, United will also face Spanish side Valencia and Turkey's Bursaspor in Group C.
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