United is a special place.

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

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?'

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

I accept that I didn't play very well in Italy for the two years. It was lower than my Ajax standard. I don't know why.

It's always best if you can leave with a good memory.

I remember, when I was 24, I said 34 was going to be the limit I will play to. But as everyone says, the older you get, the longer you want to go on because it gives you so much satisfaction.

If you go to Juventus, you want to go for longer than two years, and you want to win titles.

Every time I hear that Champions League song, it reminds me of hearing it for the first time in the old Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam.

Sometimes I miss European football.

I was in two successive European finals early in my career, so initially, you think that sort of thing is going to happen regularly. Then suddenly, it dries up, and before you know it, 13 years have passed before you get your next chance.

I signed for Ajax in 1989 when I was still at school.

I don't think there was a single United player from 2009 who could say he gave it everything and played well.

If I see something right, I say so.

We accept that, in one way now, if you are 27, 28 and still playing for Ajax, you are probably not good enough for the top of Europe because players want to go to the top in Europe.