Have you settled in well?
"In general, yes. I've had to get used to some of the players and the English sense of humour. I thought Dutch players have a wicked sense of humour but they don't come close to the English. The players at United are always pulling my leg. If they're not forcing me to take my hair-band off and calling me a pretty boy, they're giving me stick for being far too nice. They even tried to get me to shave my hair off, but I drew the line at that.

"No, they are a great bunch of lads, so determined and still so hungry after years of success. Life is good for me right now and hopefully at the end of the season there will be a great deal more to celebrate."

Is it true that you don't share the other players' love of clothes, big houses and superstar existence?
"I think David Beckham is better suited to that. I'm a fairly simple lad and I enjoy the simple things in life. I don't like big houses because I think they are unnecessary and I've never been one for designer clothes. I have an apartment in a nice part of Manchester and that suits me fine. But anyone who knows me will tell you that football, for all its money, will never change me.

"I came into the game because I loved the sport. I didn't strive to become a better player for financial gain. What I win individually and collectively is much more important than money. If in years to come all I can look back on is wealth, it will be a very sad day for me."

"I am determined to stay here until the end of my contract, when I will be 30..."

Do you expect to finish your playing days at United?
"I am determined to stay here until the end of my contract, when I will be 30. Then it will be nice to go back to my old club, PSV Eindhoven. We have already bought a house in the area, because we know we will end up there again. I have fond memories of the club and I feel at some point it would be fitting to return home.

"When I was injured and there were doubts over my career, the club stood by me throughout. But for them I would never have made the move to United, so returning home at an age when I can still give them something is a way of repaying them."

Finally, United are still going strong in the Premiership and Europe, can they go on to win a double in Sir Alex's last season?
"The ability, drive and mental strength is there and no-one can fault the desire of the side. I think it's difficult to look beyond the next games and make any predictions because you're tempting fate too much. We face enormous challenges but if we just concentrate on our own game and retain the belief we have in ourselves, why not? "It would be fitting to finish on a high for the manager - especially if we can reach the Champions League final in Scotland."