RUUD TO WALK AWAY LIKE ERIC

Last updated : 28 March 2004 By Editor

"I have my own philosophy on how I will one day retire and it means I will walk away from football completely.

"Becoming a manager is not an option for me. I will do it exactly like Eric Cantona when he was at United.

"It will be bang, wallop and I'll be gone. I want to do it when I am at the peak of my career. Playing blistering football one moment, the next gone forever.

"I am not a player who is ready to go to other clubs and play at a lower level. I have become used to this fantastic club, so that would be impossible.

"That is not my style. Either I am super-motivated to play at the top or I refuse to play. There is no in-between.

"I am really hungry to be a success at United, but at times it takes everything out of me. The big stars at this club have about seven years at the very top and that's what I am aiming for.

"I am always prepared to give everything I have - in training and in every match. I must play my heart out.

"I live with my fiancee Leontien in an apartment overlooking the hills in Bowden. We both really love it here because we have adapted well to life in Manchester. It is a place where we both feel at home - that says it all."