"Nobody wants to be associated with failing to qualify for the World Cup finals. I cannot imagine the shame of it."

“It hit me like a thunderbolt!”

“It was wicked meeting Nelson Mandela.”

“Football is the most important thing in my life, but I do have a life outside football and this is one part. The TV, the music, the fashion - it all goes to make up Rio Ferdinand.”

“His temperament is always there to be questioned because he plays on the edge. That is just the way he plays.It is a cliche but if you took that edge away from Wayne he wouldn't be the same player and I would rather have the Wayne Rooney we have now.”

“My name was out there in the public arena for people to make assumptions on why I missed a drugs test. That stigma is something that may never go away. I go out there and play for the fans and for my family and for myself and to have that taken away from me in such a way was disheartening and something that really did shock me. I'm man enough to admit that I did cry.”

“Gary Neville is the club captain but has been injured for the best part of a year now - and Giggsy's taken on the mantlepiece.”