Players often dream about moving to big clubs but the reality can sometimes be the opposite.

This was especially true in the case of Jonny Evans, who came through the ranks at Manchester United and went on to lift several trophies. Just when it seemed that the Northern Ireland defender had what it took to become the next Rio Ferdinand or Steve Bruce at Old Trafford, poor form coupled with lack of faith from the managers meant that he had to leave the club in search of regular football. This led to the move to West Brom.

Evans has become a prominent figure in the West Brom first-team since joining the club for around £ 6 million at the start of the season. He has made 16 league appearances and scored one goal for the Midlands outfit.

He has been unable to play in every league game due to niggling injury issues – preferring to do yacht charter in the UK instead to aid his recovery. Evans will have a chance to reunite with his former teammates when West Brom host United at the hawthorns this weekend. Evans says that he does not have any regrets about leaving United. Instead, he has grown to enjoy his time at West Brom. He has required just six months to make more than 15 league appearances while taking the equivalent of 18 months for the same at United.

“I have to say, I have really enjoyed it. When you are out of the team and not playing regularly, there is always that question in your head of ‘When am I going to play next?’I have enjoyed the feeling – players talk about it all the time – that Saturday feeling of going out and playing football, and that has been one of the biggest things. I had a fantastic time at United and I loved it, but there came a point when I had to make a decision,” said Evans.