- United strive for the league title. Did the players or the coach calculate how many points would be required?
- You will never guess how many points it will take to win the Premier League, so we don’t see the point. We do not know how Chelsea or other teams will play. It may sound trite, but we consider each match separately. On another it is impossible. This approach has always been practiced in our club - you need to try to win every meeting and at the same time play interesting attacking football, trying to score as much as possible. I myself always thought so. I doubt that you can really set a goal to score a certain amount of points. Now they say that we need more than ninety. Perhaps, but, I think, the best way to achieve such a result is to move gradually, beating each specific opponent.
- The coach often applies the rotation of the composition. How will this affect the end of the season?
- This is really important. It is imperative that each player maintains freshness - and after the rest, the difference is always felt. Of course, I want to play in every match, but the respite helps, returning to the squad, to reach a higher level. Players who infrequently enter the field need playing practice, because in the event of injuries or disqualifications, they should be ready to help the team in important matches. It is very important to have players who are able to play when necessary. And I think we have such.
- Is championship a priority for you?
- Now this is really the most important tournament. After several not very successful seasons in the Premier League, we are more than ever determined to win this trophy. The championship is the main goal, our urgent need. We have not won the league for four years. This is too much, and by all means we want to return the title. Other competitions will serve as a bonus if we compete in them successfully. If we win all three trophies, it will be great, but if I chose, I would prefer the championship. Many of our players think the same way.
- Does this mean that this season is especially important to win the league?
“I don't think so.” This is a fantastic achievement - no matter when it happens. Admittedly, it has become more difficult to win. “Arsenal” and “Chelsea” the last three seasons play very hard, so we need more and more perseverance. However, winning a league is always great, as it is the quintessence of your efforts during the season.
- How is the current “United” different from those in which you had to play?
- Our performance in the championship speaks for itself. If you look at the number of points scored and the difference in goals, then you will understand - this is an excellent attacking team, which also knows how to defend. We often kept the goal intact and scored many goals. I think we have a really well-balanced team. This is exactly what is necessary for success, and in this sense, it is similar to the best of those United teams that I played for. Now this is a slightly different team, but its style has remained the same - focus on attack and severity in defense. In the most successful options, we always focused on goals. And if you look at the current players, such as Cristiano, Wayne, Louis, Ryan, you can say the same thing with confidence. Even the defenders beat us a lot.
- The game with Chelsea will be rescheduled. Will you have to strain at the end of the season, or are you hoping to decide the fate of the championship before this?
- (Laughs.) You want to think so, don't you? We are aware that you need to go a long way before winning and work hard. I don’t care when we play with Chelsea. Whatever position we are in, we will try to play successfully in London. And we won’t play at Stamford Bridge through our sleeves. Victory in this game we need to prove that we deserve the place we occupy. We will not play for a draw, because we never do it, we always want to win. They have won at our Stamford Bridge for the past few years, so victory now will mean a lot to us.
- What do you think about the game of Michael Carrick this season?
- He plays fantastic. It was a great acquisition, and I think it really helped us to be where we are now. He has a wonderful season. His programs are amazing, it is immediately noticeable, but at the same time he also works a lot for the team.
- Do you like playing next to him?
- Yes of course. It is great that he is so calm and calm in handling the ball. It is really convenient to play with him and I think that we find mutual understanding. I hope this process will continue in the future.
- How does it differ from previous partners in the midline? He is a completely different player compared to Roy Keane ...
“I don't know if he really is so different from Roy.” They perform similar functions on the field. It’s hard to compare it with other players. I don’t think about it. I am only sure that I can play next to Michael, and I feel comfortable in the same team with him. He has all the makings of a big player - what is needed for our club.
- His coming changed your role on the field?
“I don't think so.” Our tasks coincide, and so it was with all my midfield partners. We must bring our most dangerous players to the shock position. If we do this, then the team has every chance to win - our strikers are of a very high level. I think Carrick is untying my hands for more active connections to the attack. He does not go forward so often, but he knows how to do it and is definitely able to score. But he, rather, a midfielder, acting from the depths of the field, and I can often be ahead.
- Are you satisfied with your form this season?
- It seems to be. I know that I can play better. I want to score more and do more for the team. I hope that in the last months of the season I’ll play more useful.
- You never went in cycles in personal achievements ...
- I just think that I used to play better. I believe that I can return to that level, and I believe that I can still play better than this season.
- Has your training regimen changed with age?
- Football does not stand still, but I do not think that much has changed in training. The diet has remained almost the same. The training program with Walter di Salvo (United fitness coach) has changed slightly. We spend more time in the gym. I still love to work with the ball and play soccer. My approach to training has always remained the same. You have to give everything in order to get an advantage in the game later. Hopefully still.
- Still enjoy training?
- Oh yes, I love to work out every day outdoors. I do not like classes in the hall. But this is what you must do, and you have to put up with it.
- Do you work a lot on elements such as kick and pass?
- I try to work on all components, on impacts - especially. I’m not trying to learn the various ways of hitting the ball or anything like that, but just hone the strokes that I always used. However, I try to develop all aspects of my own game. If you don’t do this, you won’t get any benefit from training.
- Your goal kick on the fly in the match against “Villa” was recently recognized as the goal of the month, and it looked so much like that legendary ball that you scored “Bradford”. Do you practice something like this in training?
“We are not working on it too much.” I just know that after corner kicks, the ball often flies to the borders of the box. I like to take this position, because there is always hope that the ball will bounce to you and you can hit the goal. Wayne thinks the same way - he likes to beat, so he usually sits in the same zone. We both hope that the ball will come to one of us, if only by that time it will not be in the goal - Rio and Vidic are very dangerous at the standards.
- Why, having such a furious blow, do you not so often execute penalties?
- I'm not the best performer of standards. In fact, I do not know how to do this. I prefer to hit a rolling ball or in the summer. We have much more skilled free kick performers - such as Ronaldo or Giggs. I don’t think that there are many people who can better hit a static ball than these two, so I’d better let them show their skills.
- With age, football players are usually forced to adjust the game. Has yours changed?
- I didn’t change anything on purpose. Perhaps now I go less forward. When you are in front, it’s too far to go back! So I often stay in my position (laughs). Perhaps now I am more balanced about attack connections, but I try to keep all the elements of my game at the proper level, I still make passes, try to organize and score goals. This is what I always tried to do.
- If you could improve one component of your game, what would it be?
- Protection. Disgusting game in defense. My tackles are far from perfect (smiles).
- People often talk about it ...
- About my violations? I'm not one of those who pay too much attention to conversations. If you think about it, for the central midfielder I get not so many cards. Sometimes foul is rude, but I never do it on purpose.
- Do all judges understand this?
- In most cases, judges treat me well. There are games when you break the rules in the first five minutes and get a warning. After that, you are forced to play carefully. But basically, I have no problems with the referees.
- Last year you had eye damage and you learned what life is without football. Ever wondered what to do after your career?
- I’m thinking about what I’ll do after my career ends when it happens. While I play, I already have something to think about. I really enjoy football and want to concentrate on that.
- At that time that you were out of the game, you were noticed at several matches - is the future connected with selection work?
- The coach simply wanted to take me to football, because I did nothing for three or four months. I could not play or train, and it was terrible. I was advised to just relax. So he just asked me to go and see a couple of matches for him. I met with the director of the breeding service and agreed to visit several games. I really enjoyed it.
- Do you think that your player career will continue for several more years?
- I hope so. My goal is to play as long as possible. As long as I feel normal, while I enjoy my game, I will continue.
Translation by Dmitry LONG