"The thought I could still play for United and go to Portugal is what has made me so driven in training."
He added: "The manager Sir Alex Ferguson told me to treat things as if I had an injury and that is what I have been doing.
"I am not pre-judging the case and I have no idea what the outcome will be, but if I didn't think there was a chance of success there would be no point appealing in the first place.
"I've worked hard, maybe even harder than usual, believing there is light at the end of the tunnel. It feels like I have been out for about two seasons.
"During the week it is not so bad because I'm in there with the lads as usual and you are kind of involved.