The right-footed Brazilian left-back Jonny Evans was changing after the recent Fulham game at Old Trafford when he spotted two nervous teenagers entering the dressing room, having been sent into the hallowed sanctum by that wily fox, Sir Alex Ferguson. Evans smiled knowingly and nudged his teammate Rio Ferdinand.

“I said to Rio, ‘I remember doing this when I was 15 and I remember talking to you at the time’. Rio couldn’t recall. You walk in and see all your idols. Six years later, I’m sitting beside one of them.”

Evans could pick up his first domestic trophy as a Manchester United player at Wembley today, to herald the start of what promises to be a long and glittering career. His importance to the team was illustrated last Tuesday when he had two painkilling injections in his ankle before the Champions League game against Inter at the San Siro. As United close in on the second of five trophies they can win this year, Ferguson has elevated Evans into the company of Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic by describing them as the best bunch of centre-backs he has had at United. “Sometimes the manager gets carried away a bit,” Evans says with a smile. “The thing about this club is that you get scrutinised every day. I’ve played 20 games this season and I’m still fighting to stay at the club. The manager has let players go who people said were in their prime; Paul Ince, Ruud van Nistelrooy - great players.”

Whatever plans Ferguson has for Evans will probably be influenced by the fact that Evans is not just a cultured centre-half in the best United tradition, but he is also a bright and articulate 21-year-old. Evans was speaking at the club’s training ground at Carrington, where he has spent many of his formative years, and at one point motioned upstairs to recount another interesting episode from his early United days.

“When we were doing our education we would write down targets. I wrote that I wanted to be captain of United and go on and captain my country. Now I’m not looking that far ahead. My main aim is every time I get the chance, to do the best I can. It will get to the stage where I want to be playing week in, week out, but right now I am enjoying my time.”

Evans had successful loan periods at Royal Antwerp - the United feeder club in Belgium - and Sunderland, where his second spell there last season was an important factor in the club’s move away from the relegation zone. Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane wanted to sign Evans and despite his dream of captaining United, the player seriously considered moving - until Ferguson put an end to the idea.

The second spell at Sunderland came at a time when Evans seemed to be in jeopardy of losing all he had worked to achieve. After the United players’ Christmas party of 2007, he was arrested following allegations of rape by a 26-year-old woman. It appears to have been a case of mistaken identity and no charges were brought because of “insufficient evidence”.

“I didn’t lose any sleep,” Evans says. “At the time it was a shock but the hardest part was for my family. My conscience was clear.” It was hardly how his father Jackie, a former professional footballer, expected to see his son’s name become widely known. If Manchester United win today, however, his son’s name will be in the papers for all the right reasons.

Young Reds at Wembley

BEN FOSTER Sir Alex Ferguson rates him the best English-born goalkeeper in the Premier League. He’s played only one league game for United and will be 26 in April but for a keeper that is still young

JONNY EVANS Only 21, he has given a series of outstanding displays in central defence alongside Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic

FABIO DA SILVA has had fewer opportunities than his twin brother, Rafael, largely because of the outstanding form of Patrice Evra. Highly rated, the 18-year-old has a big future if he can shake off injury niggles

DANNY WELBECK The 18-year-old striker has a wonderfully light touch and a ferocious shot. His goal against Derby County in the semi-final second leg was a gem

DARRON GIBSON With so many options in United’s midfield, the Irishman has had a long wait to show what he can do. He is starting to add a physical threat to undoubted skill and technique