I have always said that management is not something I fancied, but it's suddenly, naturally started to enter my head.

I made my mind up that I want to continue playing as long as I can.

Any great club needs the mentality to go on and achieve things - it is what clubs like United have.

It's why the Premier League is watched so much all over the world: because it has more pace and more physicality than in any other league.

It's nice hearing your team-mates wanting you to stay.

Everyone's expecting you to be playing fantastic football, winning every game, and course it doesn't happen like that.

British managers tend to be a bit more hands off, let you express yourself in training.

My upbringing wasn't overly comfortable.

I've got three brothers and two sisters. Dad was a plumber who worked really hard to support six children, and Mum was busy at home. The four brothers shared a room, a bunk bed on each side. It wasn't luxurious.

Confidence and momentum are huge in sport.

Nobody likes to lose 3-0.

No one has said, 'What are you doing still playing?' Everyone said, 'Play as long as possible.' You stop when you stop enjoying it, and I'll know when I've had enough and can't keep up with the boys.

It's a fantastic life I've been living - let's keep it going.

When somebody tells you they don't think you're good enough here, your face doesn't fit, you don't just roll over; you've got to back yourself.

Steven Gerrard - at his peak, he was outstanding both attacking and defensively.

David Silva at Man City was my favourite player to play with; we had a good understanding on the pitch.

You only have to look at the England squad to see the amount of players who get in the squad and start the games - the majority play in the Champions League.

I have had four great years at Everton. The fans have been brilliant with me from the day I signed until the day I left. I am proud that the club will always be a big part of my career.

I've got massive respect for Arsene Wenger for what he's done for the English game, and it would have been good to work under him, but that didn't happen.

Playing away is always tough in the Champions League.

I'm delighted to be joining City. It didn't take much persuasion from Mark Hughes; they are heading in the direction I want to go. There is great potential here.

Anything you're not in control of you can't be that comfortable with.

I'm not one to plan, but I'm always positive about things.

You learn from being out of the team, but it makes you desperate for another chance, and when it comes along, you just have to grab it. Don't let go.

After Euro 2008, football in England was shattered for a bit, and people were losing interest in following England.

I have a massive fear of going stale and falling into a comfort zone.

I feel at Manchester City I will get the chance to play regularly in my best position and play a big part in a successful side.

I was 32 when I signed for Everton, and Roberto Martinez said, 'With your style of game, you can play until you're 40.' I'm sitting there laughing at him, but he was deadly serious. I still laughed.

When somebody mentioned yoga for the first time, I just looked at it and thought, 'This isn't for me; it's for an older woman down at the health club trying to get supple.' But I thought, 'No, I can see the benefits there. I've got to embrace it.'

One of my strengths is focusing on football, and even in the summer, I try not to switch off too much.

My head has just been all about wanting to play regular football in the Premier League.

Defensive midfield can be the one position that's easier to play as you get older.

You don't see too many attacking flair players continuing until their mid-30s at a high level.

When you play a lot of games in a row, and you come off the pitch thinking, 'I can't do this no more,' then it is time to look at something else, whether you have six months left on your contract or four years.

Everton Football Club is more important than the individual.

For a young player, it's important to have people around you other than yourself. You're immature as an 18- or 19-year-old.

The pressures on younger players now are greater. You've just got to be on your toes all the time with social media and stuff. Now you just go to fill your car up, and there will be somebody wanting to film you trying to do something silly like that.

If you go into a shopping centre, there are phones and cameras everywhere, and if you're doing the wrong thing, ultimately you're going to get found out. So it's important you're living your life right, and that's hard for a young player.

That's one thing that's been aimed at me since I was 17: a lack of pace.

At the World Cup, it's the very top level. It's going to be tougher.