Evans is still being described as United's fifth-choice central defender.
Yet, in a season when Nemanja Vidic has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury, the Northern Ireland star has started more matches in the middle of United's defence this season than anyone but Ferdinand, who has featured in just one more.
That statistic alone is proof of Ferguson's faith in the Belfast-born youngster.
And yesterday Evans stood tall to repel Liverpool as the Reds cemented a vital three points in the Premier League title battle.
"Jonny was fantastic," said Ferdinand. "A lot of the stuff that has been said about Jonny is way off the mark.
"He is appreciated by everyone in the squad."
Evans' work alongside Ferdinand ensured Luis Suarez's on-field performance was limited to one goal and that Liverpool were unable to profit once Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy were introduced in the frantic search for goals.
Yet Wayne Rooney was the man who took the accolades for his double strike straight after the restart that took the game away from Liverpool.
It took Rooney on to 17 league goals and 21 for the season overall.
That figure is just two short of his tally in from five years ago, the second-most productive of his career, and 13 away from equalling his best tally, two years ago before he suffered the ankle injury in Munich that ended up wrecking his World Cup.
"Wayne is a Liverpool lad and an Evertonian," said Ferdinand.
"To score against not only our rivals but those of his boyhood team, it must have gone down well for him."
It was a view Rooney concurred with, although once again he was thankful to the contribution of Antonio Valencia, who gave Jose Enrique a torrid time down United's right flank and maintained his recent high-class performance level.
"Enrique is a great full-back, very quick and powerful," he said.
"He is a similar build to Antonio but Antonio did really well, as he has done throughout the last few weeks.
"I hope he continues that form because is a big player for us."
As Rooney pointed out on Twitter earlier in the week when he questioned whether Luis Suarez should have been sent off for kicking Tottenham's Scott Parker on Monday, the 26-year-old has got his own disciplinary house in order.
Although his campaign was stained by the red card he received on England duty in Montenegro that will rule him out of the first two games of Euro 2012, Rooney has collected just one yellow card this season, and none on domestic duty.
As the heat was rising all around him, Rooney remained a calm presence throughout.
"For these games, you don't need firing up," he said. "It is human. You are fired up and you are ready to play.
"There were a few incidents that happened before the game and at half-time but it was OK on the pitch. There were no real bad tackles or many yellow cards."
United now concentrate on as attractive a Europa League last-32 encounter as there is possible to be - a two-legged encounter with four-times European Cup winners Ajax - before heading to Norwich on February 26, and then title rivals Tottenham seven days later.
"It will be nip and tuck from here on in," said Rooney. "It's brilliant for the neutrals and for us footballers it's a great challenge.
"This is what you play football for, to be involved in situations like this.
"We are in a good position and are playing the best football we have played all season at the moment." Tweet
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Evans is back to his previous best. I'm sure that having a settled run in the side is doing wonders for him. I would like to see him kick on from here and really learn how to dominate opposing forwards. Every part of his game can go to another level if he really applies himself. His heading, concentration,positional sense, bringing the ball out of defence, acting as a defensive midfielder when under counter, and his attacking play at corners in the opposition box; these can all be upgraded.
Jonny has to ask himself what he wants to be here. Is he content to be in the squad when everyone's fit? Does he want to be the first name on the team sheet? Does he want to be a world class player? He is, I believe, in the process of reinventing himself as a centre back. If he wants to stay in the game at the highest level then he must set a bigger standard for himself. It's only the drive to be the best that keeps mediocrity at bay. We've all seen the lesser Jonny. I want to see how good this guy can become, consistently.
If he wants to learn how to reinvent himself so that he can become a legend; he should take Giggs out for a coffee. Ryan represents a level of desire that few players can emulate.
Well said Rio. Evans display yesterday was one Vidic would have been proud of. Number 20 is on the way in May
Totally agree, i think you can see hes started doin weights and baulking up. this will make a better defender and put more fear into opposition forwards as previously he was a bean pole that could be knocked off his stride to easily
i think ferdinands days are numbered though as Smalling and Jones are natural centerbacks and with having vidic also i could see rio leaving this summer as this coupled with rios constant injuries and loss pace means he nowhere near the player he was and is constantly making errors and costing us goals as he hasnt the pace anymore to make up for his mistakes
also Rafaels performances in the big games have proven hes ready to be 1st choice rightback and barring injuries will become a worldclas player in my opinion
Hypothetically,if Ferguson would have signed a player for 35/40 million and he would have played like Scholsey recently,everyone in the Press would have been saying that we had sunearthed another Messi! What are the latest advances on cloning?
with Evans playing so well, that opens up the possibility of a cleverley, smalling, jones midfield.........
I am absolutely delighted for the young man; he really has shown his many doubters what a very good player he can be. This young lad has been ripped apart by many posters on here, and some of the harsh words accorded to him have been downright out of order in my opinion.
I will agree, though, that he hadn't maintained the progress that his initial appearances promised but, nevertheless, he did not deserve to receive such vilification from some of our own fans. I hope that some of these fans to whom I refer will be brave enough to hold their hands up, and perhaps post something with a wee bit more encouragement to the lad?
Just keep on listening and learning, Jonny, especially to Rio (one of the greatest centre backs I have had the privilege to see), and I predict that you will have a long and illustrious career with us.
United 'til I die!
We've always believed in Johny! He'll be even better in the future, a legendary "Paul McGrath" in the making!
I have said many times that Jonny's performances when he came in at the start of his career for Vida and Rio were outstanding and he showed his potential to the full.
His progress has not been helped by a series of injuries which have hampered him so much and of course a dip in form which happens to every player.
It took him maybe a little longer to get over that dip in form than most because his confidence was shattered. Not helped by some on here screaming at the manager for selling Pique.
Players react differently I have even seen that at the low level of footy that I played.
Jonny is a class act and will get even better and I am delighted for him that he is coming back to be as good as that first potential showed.
Well done Jonny I am so glad you kept on going my mate. All the best for the future.
Smalling and Jones were supposed to be he future of United's central defense. As I've mentioned before I think it will be Smalling and Evans with Jones playing midfield. Good options to have and will be the envy of any Premier League team so long as SAF plays them in their right position.
Let's not forget when Johnny Evans is in possession he always is hesitating where to play the ball!
Yes he did well when suarez scored did he not?
Evans has been one of the knocking players along with Carrick. I've been critical of both on these pages. It gives me great pleasure in saying well done to both Evans and Carrick, keep it up boys.
I have never been an Evan fan.
The issues I have with him are not his talent level, but his focus. He is prone to getting lazy and having a brain cramp even when he is playing well. He becomes too casual. Yesterday is a good example - playing a great game, United are coasting and then his error let Suarez in for a gift goal and put the team under pressure. Had De Gea or Rafael done that the press and fans would be all over it like a rag. Yet he gets away with it without criticism. Talent isn't enought - dedication and focus are equally important, and Evans will ALWAYS make these type of mistakes. It is the nature of his personality. He is a great squad player and that is all. he is not the answer as a full time starter and he does not have Smallings and Jones' long term potential. So let us not get carried away with Evans.
In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king.
Well done Jonny! Of course I was a bit worried you would fail to stop suarez, but WELL DONE MATE! At last you are fuffilling the promise that showed in 2008-2010, i am confident that you will have a bright and fuffiling life at OT, with lots of trophies. No doubt in October everybody was asking you to get out, including me in fact, but you bounced back and well as well! I am happy for you, and for the club! Well done for silencing the doubters/ ABU'S Jonny! If you are drafted in for Ajax, make sure you don't get distracted by the praise and the performance on Saturday! Good luck!
proud to be a rag, united til i die
Evans did have a fine game.
Most of the time covering up for the mistakes made by the hapless Ferdinand.
Where was he when Rio made that super tackle on Suarez in the 45th minute, he was sitting in the Liverpool penalty area.
Rio should take a page from Scholesy's book and stop the press talk.
BTW how many tackles has Evans put in this year?
His stats are pathetic when you compare with of our other defenders.
Uses his height occasionally to head a ball away to safety.
Evans, Smalling and Jones mistakes cost us the Champions league matches.
But Smalling is a great player in the making as is Jones, they were just a little overawed by the occasion.
In fact Chris could replace Micah in the England team, Micah's style will get him into trouble in Europe.
BTW how many offers have we got for Evans? I remember scores of offers for Rio Vidic and Evra.
Don't fool yourselves, let's think of the team instead of trying to say Evans is a Pique or a Shawcross.
Don't know why everyone is getting excited after one game. Lets see if he can keep it up!
This was possibly the best I've seen JE play. His distribution and confidence to carry the ball forward was equally as impressive as his defending. Let's hope he just keeps improving as that performance has to make him feel like he's really arrived big time!
I am though concerned about Rio. He certainly looks to have lost a yard of pace and at times looks very immobile, especially from a standing start in the box.
Im glad that people are now beginning to acknowledge the excellent form of Jonny. For me Evans has been the most consistent defensive player for us this season. Rio as we all know is has lost a yard of pace and is having more frequent injury problems, Vidic is our best defender but will not be available until next season. Smalling has been unlucky with injuries, but is the natural successor to Rio for both club and country and Jones is a immensely talented teenager whos best position is still not clear (personally i think he will continue to play a number of positions, SAF likes a versatile player).
Jonny's performance on Saturday was a masterclass, his positional play was excellent, he played the ball from defence, was aerially strong and at one point he even picked the ball out of the sky......it was Berbatovesque! This lad may never be a world class defender, but he's already an excellent squad player who has hit form a the right point of the season.
Sorry Nodge, disagree with you on this one. Rafael is still young and learning, but his recent displays have been very sound. Anyone can overhit a pass or two and that's not his main role. His speed, courage and even his aerial ability make him a great asset for now and in the future. Fabio seems to be behind his twin in terms of progress, but he has been unlucky with injuries. Let's give Fabio more time, because he's obviously a skilled footballer.
the lad has really turned is season round from an accident waiting to happen to the most inform defender in the pl well done young johnny.
Unbelievable - when he has a good game, half of the posters on here still slate his performance, when truth be told after a run of games, he has looked a lot more consistent than most, including some of our more experienced players.
Well done Jonny.
I am not the biggest fan of Evans but one must always give praise when due. He has earned it recently bar a lack of concentration now and then. I however support those who have been critical of the player in the past as that was also well deserved. As United fans the positive is that we are starting to see better consistency in our play and players are starting to hit better form. That is what matters and when it occurs gratitude must be shown. I for one have been very critical of the management of the team by Ferguson and by the same token must offer positive feedback when the team shows consistent and productive attacking play. We have moved from a team playing mostly poorly to a team beginning to be more entertaining and playing quicker football.
I am most pleasantly surprised at the upsurge in Evans' form recently. This is a young man who broke into the team looking like a Utd centre back for the next ten years. Yet his form dipped so alarmingly that he became a liability, and a near certainty for the exit door! The courage he has shown to fight his way back to form, despite all the high profile errors shows that he has the attitude needed to be a Utd player. He looks stronger, much more composed, and confident on the ball. He also is reading the game now like he did early days, and is 'sniffing out' danger. His tackiling is clean and strong, and his heading and distribution inproving game by game. All in all he looks capable of forming a long term partnership with Smalling, possibly freeing Jones to be the midfield powerhouse we have lacked since Keane. Perhaps Tunnicliffe will fill this role, meaning a future midfield from Cleverley,Pogba, Jones,Tunnicliffe and Pettruci (spelling).
I have also been pleased with the returning Rafael, whom I believe can develop into a world class right back. Clearly this boy needs an injury free spell, as does his twin brother. I love the desire in these boys, and they have talent in abundance.
We are looking stronger now than we have since early in the season. My only gripe is the conceding of sloppy goals, and our tendency to take our foot off the pedal when we have teams by the throat. Saturday should have ended 4/5 nil, without the nail-biting finale.
Correct these errors, avoid further bad injuries, and we will retain our title. It's as simple as that!
Paul, Whalley Range