He picked up an injury against Newcastle just weeks after making his return to the United first team, but Gabriel Heinze revealed to MUTV how he’s still 100% committed to life at Old Trafford…
You’ve been very pragmatic about your injuries - is it something you’ve had to get used to?
I always try and face problems properly – I am not scared of it. The injuries come along and I try and face them and beat them as best I can – I give it 100 per cent.
It’s great to see that you’re not too frustrated and still remain positive…
To me frustration does not exist. Every time I play for Manchester United I have given my best, but things go wrong every now and then. With the support I have here things will go back to normal. I have many things to be pleased with, like playing in the last World Cup, so I have nothing to be unhappy about.
There is a real competition for places now in defence…
Like in every big club the competition is fierce. All we can do is give our best and it is up to the manager to decide who he wants to play.
Where will we see you, at left back or in the centre?
That is a question you need to ask the manager. What I can tell you is that I feel happier to play on the left – but it doesn’t matter as long as I play. In my national team I am used to playing in several positions and I’m happy with it.
You came here to win trophies and take you career to the next level – are you happy with the way it’s going?
I have not changed my ideals, otherwise I would be at home with my family and on holidays – this is where I want to be.
What do you want to achieve?
I always said my objectives are very short term. I want to help the team and if everything goes well – that’s what I’m doing.
With Chelsea winning the league for the last two years and looking to win in Europe, how key is it for United to be back winning the Premiership and winning in Europe?
I hope god permits us to win the league and the European Cup, but I don’t like to talk about Chelsea. I don’t know much about them and I like to focus on what I know – and while they have a good team, we work hard to do our best and we can beat anyone.
We have a good young squad, but what’s been missing from our team in the last two seasons – and what has changed this year?
I don’t think we lack anything, and if we are it is up to the manager - but I can promise you we all work hard and battle to achieve our aims – I don’t think we miss much.
Ruud has left, but it has been good to see other players contribute with the goals…
Yes, it was pleasing to see all the forwards score. Ruud, he made history here at this club – we can’t dispute that. But now he’s gone and we need to try and repeat that history with the players we have.
You’ve faced some of the best forwards in world football – just how good is Wayne Rooney?
What else can I say about Wayne Rooney – everyone has said it before! He is a very hard worker, gives everything he’s got and he can be one of the best forwards in the world.
Are you pleased he’s on your team; that you don’t have to play against him?
If I was playing against him I would have to defend my shirt, just as he would - but as a defender yes, it’s nice not to have to face him!
Your third season at United, how are you settling in?
I feel very well and very happy, despite suffering from a big injury. Everybody behaves very professionally and with the help of the boss, the professor and Mr Queiroz, they have always done everything to make me feel happy. I also played in the World Cup – that gave me a
lot of happiness – but all I want to do now is get fully fit and play every game – then it is up to the manager if I play!
You’ve adapted very well to the English lifestyle… it must have been difficult?
The lifestyle is the opposite from where I come from – but I always say it’s those coming in from the outside that have to change and I think I have adapted well. It is difficult, but you have to leave with it and you can still live your own way of life despite being here.
Was there any ever chance you would have left United in the summer?
I said at the time that the manager made me want to stay here. He helped me with my injury and let me have surgery outside of the country, which helped because of the language problem – and the manager supported me at the World Cup. In the future you never know what may happen, but at the moment I am here, I want to play and I am very happy.