For any footballer who plays for Real Madrid in the modern era, the prospect of leaving the club must feel like a step down no matter where they go - but it does not have to be like that.

Pirlo is a cool customer who does things in his own time. On the pitch, he just looks so relaxed, no matter what is going on around him. He is one of those greats who looks like he could run a midfield with a glass of red wine in one hand.

St James' Park was always, in the course of my career, a great place to play football, for the wildness of the crowd and the no-holds-barred football that both my team, Manchester United, and Newcastle would play.

Part of being a Manchester United player under Sir Alex Ferguson, perhaps the most important part of being one of United's attacking players was that when you were in possession, you had to take risks in order to create goal-scoring chances. It was not an option; it was an obligation.

As a striker, as I originally was, and then an attacking midfielder, it has always been my aim in life to embarrass goalkeepers: to dominate them, to force them into mistakes.

At United, we never used to change our style much away from home. The aim was always to score goals and dominate the match.

Managers live and die by their recruitment.

When you are young, you might be in the wrong position, but you know you are fast, and so you can compensate with your speed.

The Champions League, for me especially, is the most beautiful competition.

I will love the Champions League for life.

Messi is unbelievable, but Ronaldo does it on his own. In Madrid, he has to score the goals and create them.

There are some pundits with whom I will settle my differences... they want to sell a lie to the French people that Evra is disliked. But that is not the case at all.

I was twice voted best left-back in the world.

I never forget my first emotions in football, in Sicily.

I have a lot to thank Italy for. It's the country that opened the door to professional football for me.

I'm a sportsman who has competition in my blood, and I am not interested in money.

I came to Turin above all for my family, because at Manchester, they had inserted a clause in our agreement which changed the situation considerably. It really annoyed me.

I always say one of the best sensations is when we win at Anfield.

It is not easy to be Patrice Evra.

Here in Italy, football is more like a chess game. You have to think about every move.

We want to win everything. That is the Manchester United way.

Sometimes you have good days. Sometimes you have bad.

I always say the biggest opponent for Manchester United is Manchester United. Every year I play for this club, I will say the same.

Players who play in the Premiership play everywhere - they are strong, quick, and have good technique. It is the best football.