You know you're in for a tough time if you're trailing and the other teams are doing well.

Craven Cottage is a great stadium, really traditional, going through the rows of houses until a stadium suddenly appears.

I always said I wanted to finish my career back at Ajax, but I didn't think I was going to play for so long at such a high level, so that's not going to happen now.

Of course that's Ajax development, giving young players a chance.

When you see Sir Alex arguing with referees and linesmen, he is showing passion that has taken him to the very highest level of the game.

When I see the kind of passion Sir Alex shows, it is hard to believe he is about to celebrate his 71st birthday.

I think every player gives a bit extra when he sees that his manager is fighting, too.

I remember that, often, Mike Phelan would just nip down to the touchline for a message to one or two players. It was usually just a tactical thing. But when Sir Alex comes to the touchline, all the players know that it's serious stuff.

It is almost impossible to orchestrate the farewell you desire. That is something only a few people manage to do.

Matthijs is very mature for his age: he has the physique of a 24-year-old. He is also strong with both feet, has an extremely good range of passing, can head the ball, scores goals, and is a real leader at the back already at the age of 18.

Off the field, Ronaldo was also focusing on everything extensively, such as resting up properly and strengthening his body. After training sessions, he would often work on his free-kicks and then come to me and say, 'Edwin, can you go in goal?'

Celtic and Ajax are great names in history. They both have great followings all over the world, not just in Holland and Scotland.

United is a special place.

The FA Cup is the oldest cup competition in the world. Players are keen and willing to play in these games.

I think England's always good at making something special.

I can't sleep at night when I think about the FA Cup!

It's hard for the older boys to play twice a week, so it's important for everyone in the squad to play their part.

I have won things in my career, and people ask why that's not enough. But there can always be more.

It's always difficult if you're coming into a new club and new league, especially the English one. It's a very demanding one, can be a very tough one.

We want to bring our own players through. That is what people like about Ajax.

United is a much bigger challenge than Ajax. They're not just a big and famous club but also a worldwide brand, yet when you're inside, it's still a family place.

I think there are always a lot of rumours about players from Ajax. We develop great players, not only in Amsterdam but hopefully also in Cape Town, and there is interest in a lot of our players, but we like to keep them for as long as possible.

I am not worried about being a legend, like Solskjaer; you do your bit, and that's what counts.

The leagues in the countries around us are probably more interesting and played at a higher level, but in general, we are happy with the way we have moved things forward with Ajax, together with Marc Overmars as technical director, to establish a squad that can compete at the highest level.

You see the strength of the Spanish league, the Premier League, Germany, France, and Italy. The TV revenues are so much higher in those countries.

I am 40 years old, but I still feel fit.

My career record was 5-2 in penalty shootouts.

Playing is the biggest thing there is.

Nothing can replicate the thrill of making a great save at an away ground, or hearing your own fans cheering you, or the atmosphere when you score a goal or win a big game.

I'm not going back to Amsterdam, though it would be very comfortable there with Frank de Boer, Danny Blind, and Dennis Bergkamp. When I left 12 years ago, I said I would return, but I did not know then what great years I would have with Manchester United. I might occasionally visit training with them, but I will not be going regularly.

Ajax always bring through young players from their academy - we can't pay €20m for a player, so we make sure we develop those players and give them the opportunity to play.

It's hard to put your faith in youngsters, but Ajax have always done that.

When I was 18, I never expected to be what I was - you hope to make your debut, to play for the national team, and I want to achieve something similar off the pitch to what I did on the pitch.

For everyone, the World Cup is important. It doesn't matter if you are 21, going for your first one, or 35 and going for your third one. It's the biggest stage you can play on, and every opportunity to experience it is something special.

The most time players get off is during the international breaks.

I know I'm a good goalkeeper.

I'm always quite rational.

When I was younger, I thought I would finish in my mid-30s because that is normal for most players.

Coming to Old Trafford gave me a new lease of life.

When I left Ajax in 1999, I travelled to Liverpool and spoke to Houllier. I was shown around Anfield and also met with the chairman and a couple of the players. I thought about it, but when Juventus came to the table, I came to the conclusion that it would be a bigger challenge to play in Italy.

Being at Manchester United is a great way to play at the highest level and win trophies with a team that is very closely knitted together.

It's always hard the moment you decide to stop playing. It doesn't matter if you're at a small club or a big club: it's the end of your playing career, so that's always going to be a big moment for any player.

You get confidence when you get on a roll. When you are not struggling, and you get your players back, it is bound to make everyone feel better about themselves.

It doesn't matter whether it is your first game or your last game: you want to win.

As a goalkeeper, you always expect every team to give you nightmares.

I didn't find it hard to settle at United because there was a great bunch of players, great staff, and a good atmosphere at the club.

I don't hate the idea of retirement. I am looking forward to it.

Everybody doubts themselves. Every writer doubts themselves, every artist doubts himself, and every football player does.

I want to finish at the top, playing well.

I will miss football.