THE PAST
“I spent 13 years at Manchester United - I've always been a
Manchester United supporter and will always follow them.
It's been a massive part of my life and they will always
remain a big part of my life. I have to move on and
Manchester United will have to move on. They're a great
bunch of players and to be a part of them for 13 years is a
great pleasure - but they'll move on, as I have to.
Manchester United supporter and will always follow them.
It's been a massive part of my life and they will always
remain a big part of my life. I have to move on and
Manchester United will have to move on. They're a great
bunch of players and to be a part of them for 13 years is a
great pleasure - but they'll move on, as I have to.
“With a captain like Roy Keane they have got a great captain
who'll lead them on to success. They're great players and
great lads. I've got so many great, great memories - so many
great things have happened to me. The club will always have
a special place in my heart. I'll miss the players I've
grown up with - that's the one thing I'll miss about Old
Trafford. I'm the first of the six to leave and it's hard
because I regard all the players as family more than
anything and to be leaving like this is sad for me.
who'll lead them on to success. They're great players and
great lads. I've got so many great, great memories - so many
great things have happened to me. The club will always have
a special place in my heart. I'll miss the players I've
grown up with - that's the one thing I'll miss about Old
Trafford. I'm the first of the six to leave and it's hard
because I regard all the players as family more than
anything and to be leaving like this is sad for me.
“They will always be friends to me - but Madrid is a big
challenge and I'm looking forward to it. I'll be starting
totally afresh - but living in Spain has always interested
me. I was honoured to be linked with Real Madrid and it's
going to be an honour playing for them - such an exciting
experience. It's been a busy last two or three months and my
head probably won't be clear until I meet up with the rest
of the lads, get back training and meet people in Madrid.
challenge and I'm looking forward to it. I'll be starting
totally afresh - but living in Spain has always interested
me. I was honoured to be linked with Real Madrid and it's
going to be an honour playing for them - such an exciting
experience. It's been a busy last two or three months and my
head probably won't be clear until I meet up with the rest
of the lads, get back training and meet people in Madrid.
“It's started to hit me since I've arrived in Madrid and
seen pictures of me with the kit on - but I suppose it won't
really, really hit me until I walk out at the Bernabeu with
the kit on.”
seen pictures of me with the kit on - but I suppose it won't
really, really hit me until I walk out at the Bernabeu with
the kit on.”
Talking about his relationship with Fergie he said:
“People have always said we had our ups and downs - and of
course we did, that's part of life. But we always had a good
relationship - he's the reason I joined the club and he's
the reason I'm the player I am today. Of course I have to
thank him - he has always been a father figure to me and
I'll never forget that. Sometimes it is disappointing when
you are out of the team - I like to be involved in every
game. But there are great players at Manchester United and
you have to get on with it - which I did. I'm sure the same
thing will happen at Real - I'm sure I won't play every game
there, but that's football.”
course we did, that's part of life. But we always had a good
relationship - he's the reason I joined the club and he's
the reason I'm the player I am today. Of course I have to
thank him - he has always been a father figure to me and
I'll never forget that. Sometimes it is disappointing when
you are out of the team - I like to be involved in every
game. But there are great players at Manchester United and
you have to get on with it - which I did. I'm sure the same
thing will happen at Real - I'm sure I won't play every game
there, but that's football.”
He also found time to thank the supporters for our role in
his career:
his career:
"The fans were one of the reasons why I kept going after the
World Cup of 98. It was a difficult time for me. I had
strength with my family and the manager. But when I was out
on the field, while I was not alone, I needed a lift and the
fans did that for me. When I look back it made me into a
stronger person and a stronger player.
"That season totally turned my life around. Without the
fans, who knows (what might have happened)".
World Cup of 98. It was a difficult time for me. I had
strength with my family and the manager. But when I was out
on the field, while I was not alone, I needed a lift and the
fans did that for me. When I look back it made me into a
stronger person and a stronger player.
"That season totally turned my life around. Without the
fans, who knows (what might have happened)".