Chris Smalling

Football was always a dream, but a distant dream until when I was about to go to university. I'd had a couple of trials, but it wasn't a realistic dream, it was a kid's dream.

I just have to make sure that, whenever an opportunity arises, I keep taking them.

I liked business studies and economics at school and it followed on from there.

When you come to Manchester United, in every transfer window - whether the team is doing well or badly - there are always players linked with the club because this club is always linked with the best players.

A good pre-season is essential if you want to do well.

I am used to playing when I am fit.

You're never going to be bulletproof, but if you're feeding yourself good food and making sure you're eating the right supplements, I think you reduce the chances of getting any niggling injuries.

It is nice to hear some positive words from the manager.

Fabio Capello has probably seen me play more games at centre-half but for him to have the faith in me to play in a different position is great for my confidence and I hope I did him justice.

As players you need to have thick skin and we need to have belief that you will have bad days but it's about making sure you have more good days than bad.

A lot of successful teams are based on having two or three solid partners that rarely change.

It doesn't matter whether it's the 93rd minute, Giggsy is making his jinky, mazy little runs. You could forgive him for maybe not coming out training every day, because he's done so much in the game, but every day he's out there. He doesn't seem to need a rest.