Javier determined to succeed

patient, work hard and enjoy all the things involved in the game: not just playing in matches but going to training, resting, media work – everything that comes with this profession. When you’re playing it’s about learning to accept the bad times as well as enjoying the good. Confidence is all part of football. Nobody here is going to play 38 great games a season, we’ll all have good and bad days. But the key when you’re not playing so well is to find out why and to work on those aspects of the game that need improvement so that you can get better day by day.

It’s been a remarkable couple of years for you since then…
Yes, it’s really amazing how much my whole life has changed: I played a lot of games in Mexico, went to a World Cup and now have this incredible opportunity at United. It’s unbelievable and I’m thankful to all the people who believed in me, especially my family, without whom I would not be here.

You’ve had a while to settle in now. What are your impressions of what United is all about?
The biggest thing that has struck me is this: everyone around the world knows about Manchester United; when you’re on the outside it seems like a huge club, but now I am here, it doesn’t seem so big. I feel comfortable, it’s like a small family. I’m very happy.

What was it like when you met Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time, and what did he say to you?
I’ve been telling the media in Mexico about him. He’s like a ‘sir’, a gentlemen both during matches and away from the game. That’s why I think he’ll be regarded as the greatest manager in the modern era. When I first met him he just told me to enjoy myself here. That helped to take any pressure off me, so now I can concentrate on working hard and trying