Sir Alex Ferguson has again entrusted Roy Keane with the development of Jonny Evans, allowing the defender to rejoin Sunderland on loan until the end of the season. Evans was recently arrested and bailed in connection with an alleged rape at Manchester United’s Christmas party, allegations which he strenuously denies, and will now work under a manager deeply familiar with adversity.

The Northern Ireland international, 20, spent five months on Wearside last season, playing a significant role in Sunderland’s title win in the Coca-Cola Championship and being awarded the club’s young player of the year award. He will offer quality and composure to a defence that has lacked both in the Barclays Premier League; he cannot be recalled by United until May.

Keane is adamant that the decision is a sound one. “I know Jonny, I know his family and I’ve trained with him,” he said. “I had absolutely no question about Jonny coming back here or any doubts about that. He has got a great temperament to be a top, top player.

“I can speak from my own experiences – you get tested in all walks of life. I’ve been down that road myself as a player. I went through two court cases, one in Ireland when I was 19 and one in Manchester a few years ago. The best thing to do is go out and play games and I think it’s ideal for Jonny to come here and get some games now. He was a winner in the Championship with us and the challenge for him now is to be a winner in the Premier League.”

Keane had been rebuffed by Ferguson in his attempts resign the player – there is still no provision for Sunderland to make the arrangement permanent – but renewed his request after United’s 4-0 victory at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day. “He was obviously in a good mood and we were throwing the wine down him, which helps,” Keane said.

Evans, too, is delighted to return. “It’s great that the gaffer wanted to bring me back,” he told Sunderland’s official website. “I’ve always wanted to come back, right from the start of the season. I’ve been following Sunderland’s results every week. I’ve been kicking every ball for them.”

By his own admission, Keane is hoping to sign one more defender, two midfield players and a striker before the closure of the transfer window and is confident of positive developments next week. Sunderland have had bids rejected for Robbie Savage and Stephen Hunt, but have expressed a firm interest in Phil Bardlsey, the United full back and Matt Taylor, of Portsmouth. New players should not only help Sunderland’s chances of avoiding relegation, but also improve a club mentality that Keane believes is “possibly masochistic”. He said: “This club is all ‘if onlys’ and ‘buts’. We keep getting opportunities in matches and not taking them. We’re a nearly club and it’s not good enough. The fans deserve better than that.”