How much have you been looking forward to playing in your first FA Cup Final?

"I’m just looking to enjoy it and I hope my first Cup Final will mean a winners’ medal. It’s a big occasion but you’ve got to make sure that it doesn’t get the better of you.

"Fortunately we’ve got a lot of players who have been in Cup Finals before and that should stand us in good stead. In these big games you maybe don’t take in as much as you’d like to.

"I played in the Semi-Final of the Champions League for Leeds and only have vague memories of the game. I haven’t even seen it on video, but that’s probably because we lost. If we win today, I’ll be watching it again a few times."

Are you concerned that you might not be in the starting eleven today?

"I’d love to start but whatever happens you’ve got to make sure you’re ready when required.

"I don’t think it’s going to be an open game, I’m not expecting lots of goals and there’s also a chance of extra-time, so if you’re a substitute, you’ve got to make sure you’re as ready as everyone else.

"Remember, Solskjaer and Sheringham didn’t start the European Cup Final but they came on, and look what happened."

Do you think you have improved as a player since you arrived at Old Trafford?

"Yes, definitely. It’s sometimes daunting coming to a club like this but I knew that I wanted to give it everything and leave nothing to chance. Hopefully people will think I’ve done that.

"When I was at Leeds, people said: 'He’s committed and he gives 110 per cent every week for the cause', but since I’ve come to United I think people have seen that I’m a better footballer than they’d previously given me credit for."

Have you changed as a player?

"Some people called me a thug when I played football, which is a tag I have got away from now. When you’re younger you do step over the edge a few times but hopefully that’s something I’ve managed to control.

"Since I’ve come to United my disciplinary record has been good, and that’s because you know that if you’re suspended it’s very difficult to get back in the team.

"And if you leave your team with ten men in a Cup Final then it’s a disgrace."

Who has been the biggest influence on you?

All my coaches since I was at Leeds have had a massive influence on me and helped me to get here, but there is a guy called George Brunt who I owe a lot to. He was my tennis and football coach.

"He’s an Arsenal fan funnily enough so he might even be here today. Unfortunately, I lost contact with him a few years ago, but he was someone who spent a lot of time with me and I’ll always be grateful to him for that.

"He used to stay out on the tennis court until I won because he knew how much I hated losing. I’m sure he even used to let me win sometimes."

What are your thoughts on today’s game?

"Anything could happen. We’ve had good results against them this season and obviously in last year’s FA Cup Semi-Final as well.

"We’ll go into the game confident and believing that we can win but I’m sure Arsenal will as well. It’s probably the biggest Cup Final for a long time and everyone’s looking forward to it.

"It’s the last game of the season, so you can give it absolutely everything, with no need to hold anything back."

You’ve already enjoyed a few battles against Arsenal...

"Playing against Tony Adams and Martin Keown when I was 18 were games I’ll never forget.

"Leeds did well against Arsenal, and I probably showed a certain lack of respect for two of the best centre-backs this country’s had.

"But, once you’re out on the pitch you’ve got to forget about who you’re playing against and do a job."

This article appears in the official FA Cup Final programme. To purchase your copy of the programme, click here.