LEARNING THE HARD WAY

Veron has learnt his lesson the hard way and he won't be playing through the
pain barrier this year. He claims last season he wanted to do too much.

"I was doing well at United until the last three months of the season when I
suffered an Achilles tendon injury.

"I tried playing on but looking back, particularly that last month with United, it
ruined my World Cup. I knew I was not 100 per cent fit but I carried on playing
and I shouldn't have done. I felt pressure in trying to achieve success for
United and to prove myself that I played when I shouldn't. That was a mistake.

"It was the same with Argentina in the World Cup. Due to the injury I had
picked up prior to the tournament, I barely made it to 50 per cent fitness.

And on his World Cup performances

"Everyone could see I was in the worst condition people could remember me
being. If I had thought a little I should have stopped long before the end of the
season.

"But I didn't and that was a mistake. In fact, perhaps I shouldn't have gone to
the World Cup at all. Things just didn't work out for me.

He's learnt his lesson:

"But this season things are going to be different. There will be no repeat.

"Even if there are games and championships to win, if something happens to
me like it did last season I will stop. I will stop much sooner."

"I didn't know who I could turn to after the problems of last season. I don't talk
much to my wife about football, and obviously my kids are just kids.

And all those rumours about returning to Rome

When people ask me about my future, the simple answer is that I would at
least like to see out my contract at United — and possibly more after that if
they want me.

"I want to show the people of Manchester that I have it in me to be a
champion. I want to achieve my own ambitions and fulfill the ambitions of this
famous club.

"But that is secondary to the enormous debt of honour and friendship that I
owe my manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Through unpleasant times when people were calling me a misfit and
'Ferguson's worst buy,' when my ability and commitment was being constantly
questioned, he stood by me, defending my reputation in public and in private."

"He gave me great words of reassurance and showed great kindness to me in
moments when I have had doubt within. He would see this doubt — as a
father does with his son — and would give a word, a wink and a smile.

"These are qualities of not just a champion manager but a good and kind
man. Therefore I must repay this debt."