We are a religious family. My mum still goes to church every Sunday. There was a time when I was younger when I started getting games on a Sunday, so it came down to a choice between going to church and playing football. I think my mum knew what I really loved, and she did not stop me from going to football.

My parents made me who I am. They are kind, generous, loving people.

I am one of those people that if you are going to say something, just say it. I take it on the chin.

At Arsenal, we're not short of combination football, and I like to join in on that and get in behind defenders and try to get shots off at goal.

You play football for a reason... I am passionate about it.

If you get a big injury, it is not easy at all to deal with it.

I've been at United ever since I was a little boy, and I had a great time there.

Fletcher Moss was where it started for me and a lot of other players as well.

There is no better feeling for a Manc kid than scoring for United.

There were a lot of people in Manchester that I was connected to, so it is a bit different coming to London and not knowing as many people.

I used to get two buses to school, and you'd see more or less everyone in the city centre, so I kind of knew everyone around my age group.

It hurts a lot to see United not winning.

It's really important at United that you've been brought up with that winning mentality.

Some of the centre-backs are 90 kg. I'm only 70-something kilos - so I need to be strong.

It is always good to be away with a few of the older lads because you pick up so much from them every day. You see how they prepare for games, how they rest, and how they train.

It is good to get goals, but it is quite depressing if we don't win.

I am never happy if we are not winning.

I have played up front for England, been away to tournaments, and scored goals there, so I know once I get into those positions I will put the chances away.

I'm a centre forward, and that is my preferred position. But I'll play on the wing or in midfield, wherever the manager wants me to play.

Football's football. You're going to come across the good and the bad, but you've got to take it all in your stride.

It's football: sometimes you're fit, and sometimes you're not.

To get a first goal for England was something I've dreamed of since I was a little kid.

Sometimes you go into Nando's, and you want to tuck into the chicken wings with your fingers, but you know someone is watching you, so you don't. I'm sat there thinking, 'If these chicken wings were at home, they would get demolished!' But I've got to use a knife and fork, and you end up saying: 'Could I get a bag to take these home, please?'

Playing for United is all I've ever wanted to do - it's the club I've supported all my life.