Petrucci full of ambition

How pleased are you to captain the Reserves?
I feel very proud when I am on the pitch wearing the armband. Just playing for United is so good. I try [to lead by example] but they are all great lads and they know how to behave already.

You were on the bench for the first team as part of the travelling squad at Tottenham, although you weren’t a substitute...
Yes, I travelled with the team and that was such a great experience. That was my dream – to play for the first team – so that’s been my target and I want to achieve that. Hopefully I can have more chances. The next step up will be to be on the bench and making my debut would be my dream.

Do you feel you’re close to breaking through?
I’m not far but, at the same time, it’s still far off. I have to work very hard here at United. Even the biggest player is never settled [in terms of his place] and there are always challenges in front of them. It’s the same for everyone.

Do you feel settled in Manchester?
I love it. I really love it. It’s just the weather! I still don’t like the weather because I like the sunshine. I think if you had the Italian sunshine here, you would have the best part of the world. It’s not always sunny in Rome, but it’s definitely more sunny than here.

We have a few Italian lads here – has that been a benefit for you?
Very much. I was already friends with Kiko [Federico Macheda] before coming here. We are like brothers. I was a Roma player and he was at Lazio, but it doesn’t matter because we were friends and together for Italy. We lived close to each other. Even if we were playing for different teams, we were very close and he and his family helped me so much. They made me feel at home. There’s