Blaming me is a joke, says Veron
By Alex Montgomery
Exclusive: Juan Sebastian Veron has read the derogatory headlines and absorbed all the barbs.
Veron: To prove himself
(ShaunBotterill/Allsport)
He knows what they are saying in England - that at £28.1million he is the most expensive flop in British football history and that his face does not fit in the Old Trafford dressing room.
But the Argentinian, heralded as of one of the world's greatest midfielders when he arrived in England a year ago, refuses to fill the role of scapegoat at Manchester United.
Furthermore, he suggests that other players within the camp were worrying more about the World Cup than the club's title run-in.
Whatever the reason, United failed to finish in the top two of the Premiership for the first time in 10 years and ended the season without a trophy.
'For me to be blamed for the lack of success is a joke,' Veron said. 'I had to struggle on with injuries. I came back towards the end of the season in the Champions league matches only 70 per cent fit.
'This was known by everyone at the club but while I put my own World Cup ambitions in jeopardy by risking further more serious injury, others acted unprofessionally.
'They picked up a series of suspensions and apparently had the club's best interests in mind, yet I was singled out for criticism.'
Veron, speaking for the first time since Argentina's humiliating exit from the World Cup finals, added: 'The first season at United was so disappointing for a number of reasons.
'I started well but the team's shape was not right. Injuries took a hand and I struggled to regain my early season's form.
'Players were then lost through a lack of discipline in the team. This must be addressed for next season. You cannot allow players to be missing from very important games due to indiscipline.
'We are involved in a professional game and you must adopt professional attitude. You must never allow your emotions to cloud good judgment as some have done at this club.'
Despite the criticism of unnamed team-mates, Veron is determined to complete unfinished business, not only to prove to English sceptics wrong, but also as an obligation to his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
An extraordinary bond has developed between the two in the past year - and Veron is in no mood to walk away from United.
'My own ambition is secondary to the enormous debt of honour and friendship that I owe to Alex Ferguson,' he said. 'It stems from those periods last season that weren't pleasant, when the headlines about me were "misfit" and "Ferguson's worst buy" when my commitment and ability were being
constantly questioned. He stood by me and defended my reputation in public. In private when he recognised there were moments of great doubt coming from within me he offered me words of reassurance and great kindness.
'He would see this, as a father does with his son, and react with a word, a wink, a smile.
'These are the qualities of not just a champion manager but a good and kind man. It is why I must repay this debt. The question is always the same - am I staying at United or am I leaving? This is the simple answer: I am staying and I would like to see out at least the remaining years of my contract - and possibly more if they want me to. I want to show the people of Manchester that I have it in me to be a champion. In achieving my own ambitions I would also fulfil the ambitions of this club.'
Despite the continuing speculation that he could be sold to finance United's intended purchase of a centre-half, Veron is likely to get his wish to stay.
'I accept speculation is part of the beautiful game,' says Veron. 'But, I repeat, I am a Manchester United player as long as they require my services.'
Veron is in Italy and has not yet been back to Argentina since his country's humiliation.
It was not the depth of the criticism that stopped Veron returning to Buenos Aires after Argentina's World Cup elimination, but seeing the pain on the faces of the people in the middle of that country's recession. 'It would be too much to bear. There were so many hopes. We had the chance to lift the dark clouds and failed to do so,' he said. 'That is a burden we will carry till death.
'We will find a place in their hearts again. The Argentine values loyalty above all else.'
As for England's World Cup, Veron has picked out his United teammates, Nicky Butt and, inevitably, David Beckham, plus Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand as the country's three outstanding players.
Veron is certain all three will be around in four years' time for the 2006 World Cup. Yet in the short term there are more immediate goals.
'I will only concentrate on bringing success to my club,' he said. 'My debt of honour to my manager must be paid in full.'
By Alex Montgomery
Exclusive: Juan Sebastian Veron has read the derogatory headlines and absorbed all the barbs.
Veron: To prove himself
(ShaunBotterill/Allsport)
He knows what they are saying in England - that at £28.1million he is the most expensive flop in British football history and that his face does not fit in the Old Trafford dressing room.
But the Argentinian, heralded as of one of the world's greatest midfielders when he arrived in England a year ago, refuses to fill the role of scapegoat at Manchester United.
Furthermore, he suggests that other players within the camp were worrying more about the World Cup than the club's title run-in.
Whatever the reason, United failed to finish in the top two of the Premiership for the first time in 10 years and ended the season without a trophy.
'For me to be blamed for the lack of success is a joke,' Veron said. 'I had to struggle on with injuries. I came back towards the end of the season in the Champions league matches only 70 per cent fit.
'This was known by everyone at the club but while I put my own World Cup ambitions in jeopardy by risking further more serious injury, others acted unprofessionally.
'They picked up a series of suspensions and apparently had the club's best interests in mind, yet I was singled out for criticism.'
Veron, speaking for the first time since Argentina's humiliating exit from the World Cup finals, added: 'The first season at United was so disappointing for a number of reasons.
'I started well but the team's shape was not right. Injuries took a hand and I struggled to regain my early season's form.
'Players were then lost through a lack of discipline in the team. This must be addressed for next season. You cannot allow players to be missing from very important games due to indiscipline.
'We are involved in a professional game and you must adopt professional attitude. You must never allow your emotions to cloud good judgment as some have done at this club.'
Despite the criticism of unnamed team-mates, Veron is determined to complete unfinished business, not only to prove to English sceptics wrong, but also as an obligation to his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
An extraordinary bond has developed between the two in the past year - and Veron is in no mood to walk away from United.
'My own ambition is secondary to the enormous debt of honour and friendship that I owe to Alex Ferguson,' he said. 'It stems from those periods last season that weren't pleasant, when the headlines about me were "misfit" and "Ferguson's worst buy" when my commitment and ability were being
constantly questioned. He stood by me and defended my reputation in public. In private when he recognised there were moments of great doubt coming from within me he offered me words of reassurance and great kindness.
'He would see this, as a father does with his son, and react with a word, a wink, a smile.
'These are the qualities of not just a champion manager but a good and kind man. It is why I must repay this debt. The question is always the same - am I staying at United or am I leaving? This is the simple answer: I am staying and I would like to see out at least the remaining years of my contract - and possibly more if they want me to. I want to show the people of Manchester that I have it in me to be a champion. In achieving my own ambitions I would also fulfil the ambitions of this club.'
Despite the continuing speculation that he could be sold to finance United's intended purchase of a centre-half, Veron is likely to get his wish to stay.
'I accept speculation is part of the beautiful game,' says Veron. 'But, I repeat, I am a Manchester United player as long as they require my services.'
Veron is in Italy and has not yet been back to Argentina since his country's humiliation.
It was not the depth of the criticism that stopped Veron returning to Buenos Aires after Argentina's World Cup elimination, but seeing the pain on the faces of the people in the middle of that country's recession. 'It would be too much to bear. There were so many hopes. We had the chance to lift the dark clouds and failed to do so,' he said. 'That is a burden we will carry till death.
'We will find a place in their hearts again. The Argentine values loyalty above all else.'
As for England's World Cup, Veron has picked out his United teammates, Nicky Butt and, inevitably, David Beckham, plus Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand as the country's three outstanding players.
Veron is certain all three will be around in four years' time for the 2006 World Cup. Yet in the short term there are more immediate goals.
'I will only concentrate on bringing success to my club,' he said. 'My debt of honour to my manager must be paid in full.'
<img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />