RICKY SBRAGIA could tomorrow come face to face with a former protege who Sunderland would love call their own.

Manchester United’s Jonny Evans is hoping to recover from the groin injury he picked up against Porto on Tuesday evening in time to play against a club where his two loan spells were instrumental in the Black Cats regaining and consolidating their position in the Premier League.

Now the Northern Ireland international is an established part of a squad seeking victory at the Stadium of Light in their hunt for backto- back titles.

The visit of United adds to mounting pressure on Sbragia, who said: “We have to try get in their faces a little bit as we did at Old Trafford and we have to take the game to them.

“At least we have to go down fighting (against Man Utd) and it’s important that we go out there and those without shirt sleeves won’t roll them up, but every one else will.”

As the former United coach pondered which defensive formation can best stifle the threat of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, Sbragia admitted he’d love to have the option of including Evans in his back four.

“Him an Anton (Ferdinand) would be a good pair, but I’m dreaming now,” revealed the Sunderland boss.

Sbragia marked out Evans as a special talent when the 16-year-old Belfast lad first joined the United Academy.

Alex Ferguson now places such faith in the Northern Ireland international he’s given him 23 appearances this season to ensure Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic don’t take their places for granted.

Evans’ two loan spells at Sunderland also played a key role in his development and the centre back retains great fondness for the club and is still close to Grant Leadbitter and Dean Whitehead.

But Sbragia admitted that even the best efforts of Roy Keane and Niall Quinn could not persuade Fergie to let the move become a permanent arrangement.

“He was one of the main reasons we stayed up last season.

We loved him here but unfortunately we were never going to get him. We were kidding ourselves on to think we might be able to get him,” admitted the manager.

“I know Roy and Niall were very interested in keeping him here. Our best chance was maybe to get him on loan again but Vidic was injured at United and he got his chance. I’d like him to be here but he loves it there.

“When he came to Sunderland he lived here. A lot of players come into a loan situation, spend two days here and three days back at their club. Jonny bought totally into Sunderland while he was here that shows how grown up he is.’’ Sbragia revealed loyalty to his ex-boss Ferguson saw him turn down an offer to join Peter Reid when the former Sunderland manager was in charge of Leeds United.

He regards Man United’s unshakeable focus and desire as something his players should emulate in their battle for survival.

“I remember being there and we won the title and the next day was just another day, they were not celebrating.

I couldn’t believe it,”

noted Sbragia who recalled Kieran Richardson’s claims, following last month’s draw against Tottenham, that Sunderland could qualify for a European slot.

“Europe?’ asked Sbragia “What for, his holidays?’”