BLIND FAITH

What did it feel like when you came on the pitch as a sub against Spurs after six months out injured?

It was strange. You're just getting used to being back fit, but the manager was really great with me, as were the physios, by not rushing me back. It was enjoyable just to get back out there and being part of it again. It was disappointing missing the games at the end of last season. I gained a lot of confidence from knowing that my foot was OK by playing in Reserve team games, and getting onto the first team picture was the light at the end of the tunnel.

Some players speak of becoming really depressed when they're out of the action for so long, how did you handle it mentally?

There are moments when you feel a little bit down, depressed is probably too strong a word. But the time when I felt most down was when England won the Argentina game. I wished I could have been there celebrating with them. I'd just had the operation at that time. I've been lucky with injuries over the last six or seven years, and you look at people like Ronny Johnsen and David May who have had bad injuries, as has Wes Brown. You realise how lucky you are and count your blessings.

Is there anyone you want to avoid in the next round of the Champions League?

If we finish top of the group we'll avoid two or three of the more fancied teams, but you never want to publicly say you don't want to play a team. The easier the passage to the quarters is always the best way. You don't want to be fighting for your life in the first or second phase if you can help it. The likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and AC Milan are at the top of their groups and we would avoid them if we finish top. You can't think you want to miss them, but it would be nice to have a simple groups in which you know all the teams.

And is there anyone you would like to meet?

I would love, having played in the San Siro against Inter Milan, to go back there and play AC Milan in front of a full house. That was one of the most amazing atmospheres. If I had to choose a big club to face I'd say Milan as they are pretty much the only big club we haven't faced yet. Not because I'd fancy us to win, but because they would be two tremendous occasions at Old Trafford and the San Siro.

You have made more appearances in the Champions League than any other player in Europe, are you proud of that?

I think I owe that to my team-mates and everybody who has been here over the last six or seven years. We've got to the quarter-finals for the last few years, so that means you're going to be playing a lot of games. There's also the fact that you had to finish in the top two in the League up until a couple of years ago, so that means your team has to be doing well constantly, and I owe that to my team-mates. There are six or seven of us in the top fifteen appearance-makers, and that's down to the quality of team we've had and the consistency we've had.

Do you prefer playing in Europe or the Premiership?

As a one-off occasion, you can't beat European nights at Old Trafford. They're very special, and you'd have to say that while you have games against City, Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premiership, AC Milan at Old Trafford and the San Siro takes some beating. They get you on the edge of your seat.

You've achieved so much at United and you're only 27, how do you stay so motivated every time you run on the pitch?

By the thought of not playing for United. By the thought of having to go and play for another club, then I'd struggle to motivate myself. When you've been here for a few years and you experience what you experience here, the thought of going in somewhere else and not feeling the same about the club and not enjoying the friendships you have here doesn't bear thinking about. I want that to last forever.