SO FAR SO GOOD

How do you view your first season at United to date?

Apart from one or two games here or there, everything has gone fine so far. We won the Carling Cup, which was really nice, we've had some really good games and we just hope we can get something more out of it between now and the end of the season.

Have you been happy with your own form?

Yes, it's been ok. There's always room for improvement, I think, but it has gone fine for me so far.

You've had over 20 clean sheets, though, which is not to be sniffed at…

Yes, but there are still just over half the games where I have conceded, so like I say there is room for improvement!

Are there any particular games or saves that have stuck in your mind?

I think the win against Chelsea at Old Trafford was really good. It was a really important win for our season and the atmosphere was superb. That's the game that stays with me, and the save from Andy Cole against Manchester City was definitely important too. The game was poised at 1-1 going into the last minute and it was crucial that his shot didn't go in. Luckily I managed to get to it, and a lot of supporters came up to me after the game and were delighted that I managed to save it. They kept telling me how important it was not to lose to City.

The defence has undergone numerous changes this season. What have you made of the recent partnership between Rio and Nemanja Vidic?

I think it's good, it looks very promising and it has served us well. Rio is a quite stable factor in the back four, he's not had many injuries this season. I also like Wes, when he's fit he always plays very well. Vidic came in because of an injury to Wes and did very well and from now on we'll see what happens and see who becomes first choice.

United's season has really kicked on from the Champions League exit. Do you think the Benfica defeat fast-tracked the younger players' development?

From all the things you experience in your career, you have to pick things out. Even the older players have to experience these things and learn from them. You have to make sure that you cut out all the bad things from the next games and take all the good things with you. That's the same for younger guys of course, and I think they will all have learned lessons from that disappointment.

You must have been disappointed to exit the Champions League so soon after joining the club…

Yes of course. If you come to United, you want to win titles and play in the Champions League beyond the group stages. You want to get to the quarter and semi-finals at least. United is always highly recognised across the world and, after this year's early exit, we have to make sure that we're still in Europe in March and April next season. That has to be our main aim.