notice.
''I ask the same question of myself every morning: Have I got something to offer Manchester United? At this moment in time the answer is always yes.
"Without a doubt I feel I can compete with players like Gerrard and Vieira. When I feel I can't do that then I'll know.
"The manager was very complimentary about Gerrard and there's no doubt he is a very good player - but I still feel I am better than him and that's not being
big-headed.
"You look at Gerrard last season and he didn't kick a ball for the first
three-and-half months.
''Then you look at Vieira. I always ask questions of people in certain big games
and I just look at when Arsenal played against Chelsea in the Champions League.
"In the second half of that match at Highbury a lot of their players weren't
there to be seen - so you can pick on any players at different parts of the
season. People will look at those two players and compare them to me because
they play in my position.
"I still look at the so-called other top players in England and again I look at
myself every day of the week and ask questions. But put me up against any of
those players and I will win some battles and lose some. That's football - but I
still fancy my chances against anyone.
"I am very much focused and I don't look too far ahead. I have two years left on my contract and I have every intention of staying at United that long.
"There's no point looking beyond that because that takes me up to 35 and I have to be realistic. These days it all depends how the body is.''
"People see me train and play matches but the problem is always the next day and the day after that so it is about getting the balance right.
"The manager tried that last year, resting me for some games. Did it work? No, I don't think so because the games I missed out on I believe I could have helped the team.
"Obviously the manager looks for the right balance but if I'm fit I want to
play, every player does. There were times I was left out when I was injured, but the hardest time for any player is when you are left out when you feel
physically good.
"My hip still gets sore sometimes but it's manageable at the moment and so is
the knee where I had my cruciate repaired.
"I am 32 now and I am never going to be the player I was in 1997, 98 or 99 when people said I was in my prime.
"There had to be a a change in my game for me to last another two years but maybe it's not as drastic as some people are thinking.
"I still get in goal-scoring positions but maybe not as much as I once did.
''I could have scored 10 goals last season and I was disappointed with the
chances I missed, but it's no good Roy Keane scoring 15 goals a season and Man United winning nothing.
"I had to play with more balance to my game and it hasn't been that hard because it's benefited the team and that was always the priority.
"We have a lot of attack-minded players so if there was someone who had to
change their role in the team then it was always going to be me because of the
way I can play in front of the back four.
"Whatever happens, though, I don't think our manager will be too loyal to me, in fact I am convinced of it. But I still train every day against good players and
I really feel I have a chance.
"I know that time catches up with you and the end will come one day - but that's not a big fear in my life.''