Club And Country

Last updated : 17 August 2007 By Editor

"I always said that whilst I'm playing well for United and the England manager is picking me, I will turn up and be available because I don't believe I'm in a position to be able to retire.

''Each to their own, I've got team-mates who have retired from international football and I get on great with them. We all have our own opinions and reasons and you make a decision about what's right for yourself. Ultimately I'm making a decision about what's right for me and those lads are doing the same. You live or die by the decision and choices you have made in your career.'

"I'm playing for United and I'm English, I could prolong my career by what, an extra six months, a year? Well no, I'd rather play for England if I'm good enough to play for England.

''I love playing for United and I would never want to cut my United career short. But if I ever reached the stage when I genuinely thought playing for England was affecting my club career, I would look at it seriously and consult with the England manager and the United manager.

''At this moment in time, though, it hasn't arisen and I'm doubly determined to play for England as many times as I can, but more so to win something with England. That might affect my thinking. I don't think I have achieved anything with England yet.

"I'm driven by the fact that if you've played 85 times or 25 times and won a World Cup, the 25 caps mean more.

"The caps are just a number. Don't get me wrong, having caps and the experiences and memories that come from that is good, but I've been brought up to win things. I've been brought up at a club where winning is everything.

"It [Euro 2008] might be my last chance of a winner's medal. I'm doubly determined to play. In general fitness terms I feel absolutely fantastic, it's just a case of getting rid of my current injury.

"I think things have turned the corner. In the past when we have got an England manager, we seem to have had a honeymoon period of 12 months and then our performances have got progressively worse. But it may be a better way to do it that we grow and progress.

"We have found things difficult over the last 12 months because we have had a period of transition and we have had some difficult results at times. Steve brought in a lot of new young players and new ideas, so he went backwards to go forwards maybe and I hope that it's a more natural progression."