From the official site:
You have been playing at right back recently but we're used to seeing you in the middle of defence. Are you comfortable playing in either position and which do you prefer?
I’d say I’d be more comfortable playing at centre-back! But you have to adjust to do things now and again, and the manager obviously feels I can play there. I played there when I was a kid, maybe when I was ten or twelve years old, so I am kind of familiar with it. I’ve never played senior football there before though.
Is it a different challenge?
It is. You’re involved a lot more going forward. Playing at centre-back you just have to concentrate on defending, but at fullback you have to attack as well. You get more of the ball. I like going forward, so it’s good to have a chance to get forward more and maybe get a chance to score. I had a good chance at home to Maccabi Haifa – I saw headlines but they quickly disappeared.
When you have played centre-half, what's it been like playing alongside Rio?
The first time I played alongside him was in the Ajax tournament, I think it was the match against Parma. I think we gelled very well together. We all saw in the World Cup was a world class player he is, and he’s settled in really well. It helped him knowing all the England lads, but he’d have settled in well anyway. He’s very vocal, and it helps to have English as his first language. Laurent’s English is good, but it’s more natural with Rio talking. Rio screams a lot, too!
You have something in common with Rio in that you both played for Bournemouth. What do you remember about your time in the lower leagues?
It was a great time. The manager sent me down there to experience how tough it was down in the lower leagues. It really opened my eyes up to how physical the game is. I played twelve games for them, and scored one goal – against Millwall, which was scary. It was at the New Den, right in front of their fans, so I got a nice response! But playing week in week out for Bournemouth was great.
Laurent Blanc is one of the most experienced defenders in world football, has training and playing with him helped your footballing education?
When the manager signed Laurent, he took me to one side and just said, "John, keep watching him. You’ll learn a lot from him." To be fair, he has done that and I’ve improved. He’s definitely one of the best defenders I’ve seen, his experience is second to none.
Have you been pleased with your contribution so far this season?
I have, yes. Obviously you’re always looking to improve on your last performance, you want to keep improving all the time. It’s difficult as we have such high standards at this club, every player has high personal standards and everyone’s looking to improve. You’re never completely happy with your performances as you want to get better. Being in the team every week is good, though, as you know you’re doing something right. When I came back from pre-season I was just hoping to force my way into the first team and be involved. I hoped to be on the bench, but I’ve been in the team so I’m enjoying it.
There is a real feeling that United fans have taken to you and would like to see you get a run in the first team. Are you aware of the support from the stands during matches?
I am, yeah. It’s fantastic, the support I get from both ends of the ground. It gives you such a buzz to hear your name being chanted. For a youngster coming into the team it gives you such a boost. Then it’s up to you to pay the fans back for that.
You came on a sub for fellow Irishman Denis Irwin in his last ever Utd game last season, was that an emotional experience?
A lot of people back home commented on that, as Denis was a national hero and still is. It will be something I’ll look back on, I’m sure.
Has Denis ever given you any advice?
Not on playing full-back no! He’s doing a bit of work on MUTV now, so I’m sure he’s giving me plenty of advice on there!
What do you think has been your best performance for United?
I really enjoyed the game away to Chelsea. I was up against the toughest opponents I’ve faced in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Gianfranco Zola. They’re two opposites – one’s big and strong, the other’s small and tricky. It was a good test for my all-round game. Hasselbaink was substituted so I must have done my job, that gives you confidence. The way we played in the second half we should have won the game, and that would have been a big plus. But I was quietly happy with my performance.