Darren Fletcher

“Obviously you need your big players or so-called star players to win you games but it's the team that wins you the league.”

“A top class centre-half like Virgil van Dijk has accelerated the progress of players at Liverpool.”

“I'm teetotal, my mum was, too. A teetotal Scotsman draws plenty of laughs, but when I went to Manchester it was on the absolute understanding that there could be no going out to all hours. It stuck with me.”

“I took it upon myself to give it everything to become a professional footballer and then, when I made it, I didn't feel the need to start drinking.”

“I always had faith in myself. But it helps to hear the manager's words of encouragement. That gives you extra confidence.”

“Our generation, we grew up in being prepared for a career physically and ability wise, but it wasn't there mentally. It was tough love and you were told to get on with it. Those were the messages we got.”

“When I represent my country I don't think about the number of caps, but about trying to qualify for finals. That's what counts.”

“At Man United we had a great guy called Dave Bushell, the head of education. He was fantastic at spotting when you were down. I had a lot of injury problems at United between 16 and 18 and he'd recognise my mood.”

“There were different levels to Sir Alex Ferguson's team talks. There were ones for the games he expected us to win when he just questioned us on desire and work rate. There were other times when there was a tactical element. He was a master of spotting small details in games.”

“You have got to earn the title. Nobody gives you the trophy. The team that wins the league will be the team that deserved it and showed the best form throughout the season.”

“It is a dangerous mindset to have, to target fourth place.”

“Do I have regrets about leaving United? Well, I wish I had listened to Louis van Gaal during the first three games and played the way he wanted me to play, rather than playing silly passes at 0-0 in an attempt to win the game.”

“To tell you the truth, I grew up a Celtic fan but I probably spent more time playing with Rangers and loved being around the Rangers youth set up.”

“I don't think he gets the appreciation he deserves. Still, people don't realise how good Wayne Rooney was, and always was, at Manchester United. And again, he was a team player. He sacrificed himself at times for the good of the team.”

“I do not have ulcerative colitis. I have come through that now. I am leading a normal life. It has all been a success. I am just like anyone else.”

“The burning desire and drive that gave me though at United probably helped me produce good performances and stay there as long as I did.”

“I am not one to kick people in training if they have not been behaving.”

“This 'anti-footballer' term seems to have come about because of me!”

“People close to me were getting worried because my bowel was in a bad way. There was a concern it could perforate at any time, almost explode inside me. I don't like talking about death but I would have been in trouble if something like that had happened.”

“I knew that Roy Keane really liked me.”