Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will play Jonny Evans against Inter Milan next week.

Nemanja Vidic is suspended for the visit to the San Siro after picking up a one-match ban for his dismissal at the Club World Cup in December.

It means the Serbian centre-half must sit out the first leg against Jose Mourinho's Serie A league leaders as United look to secure a quarter-final berth.

"Jonny has played in a lot of big games this season but he has never been overawed," said Ferguson.

"He played twice against Chelsea and played both games against Villarreal earlier in the competition.

"For a young boy of 21, his reading of the game and use of the ball is absolutely fantastic."

After picking up an ankle injury in the Carling Cup win over Derby last month, Evans missed four successive games.

However, the Belfast-born youngster was pitched back into the fray last Sunday for the FA Cup meeting with the Rams and was Ferguson's surprise choice as John O'Shea's replacement when the Irishman limped out of Wednesday's win over Fulham with a heel injury.

"Jonny really needed the game on Sunday," said Ferguson.

"He needed a few days to recover, which is why I didn't start with him on Wednesday. He will start on Tuesday."