“If you just accept 25-30 games a season you are settling for second best. I want to play 40-50 like Roy Keane, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and my brother Gary. That’s what I am aiming for. I am not aiming low, I am aiming high.
“I do play around 30 matches a season. I do play a lot but I want to play more. I’m ambitious. I don’t want to be a utility player. I don’t want to be just a squad player.
“I think that is how people view me and it does get on my nerves a little bit. I am 25 now and coming to an age where I ought to be stamping my authority on games and seasons and that means playing 40-50 games consistently well.
“I need to stay in for a full season. Thirteen games on the trot last season didn’t change people’s opinions of me.
“You have to play a full season consistently and then two or three more after that before you are recognised as an established regular.
“I have to make a mark on the manager as well. That’s what I aim to do this pre-season. Maybe he also looks at me as a squad player who doesn’t let anyone down, I don’t know. But I need to prove to him that I have improved and make sure he can see a difference so he may sit up and take notice.
“Over the years Nicky Butt and I have been in similar situations in that we played in around 30 games a term but missed out on a lot of the bigger occasions. But Nicky has taken his chance with England this summer and with United last season. People have taken notice.
“If given the same chance I feel I could prove myself. Knowing that it can be done is a spur as long as you are given a chance.
“There is no way I want to leave Old Trafford but I know I am getting to the point where if it doesn’t happen for me then I’ll have to look at the situation. I am not saying if I don’t do well this year then I am leaving but I know I am at a time in my life where I have to make my mark.”