Mark Messier Quotes

Goals have never defined me as a player. What has defined me is my impact on the team. If that means passing or playing defense to win, I'll do it.

In the past, I played No. 10 and No. 9 sometimes when I had to help the team. I can play there and help my team-mates and my team; it's not important where I play. It's important to win the game.

I'm not the number-one guy here ... if it translates to winning, I don't mind taking a step back as far as roles.

This is the United spirit: you can play everywhere. If you want to win, you have to accept it. You can see Antonio Valencia playing right-back as well. Only because United play like a team. The team is the star, not only one player, that’s why you can put me and Michael Carrick at centre-back; we’re going to win because it’s the team effort and team spirit. That’s why I’m confident. I’ve said that from the beginning – in six years playing here – the Man United spirit… no one team has got that spirit. This is United. This is why I’m so proud to play here.

My goal is to be able to play wherever my team needs me.

I came in the league as not a shooter, not a scorer. My game was to play defense and make my teammates better. The most important stat to me was that left column - winning. Nothing else matters.

I am aware that I can play in various positions.

As a player you get asked to do different roles within the side.

The more positions I can play, it gives the manager a nice headache, and it can be helpful for him.

I can just be one of those guys that used in the mix, playing 4 or 5 if we play smaller.

The most important thing for me is being part of a successful England squad and being as big a part of it as I can.

I'll play where the gaffer decides: in the middle, on the right, or on the left.

I don't necessarily view myself as a big - I view myself just as a player, someone who can go out there and contribute to the team from any position.

My main focus is, 'What can I do today to help the team win the ballgame?' You have those blinders on. It helps you focus.

As a drag flicker, I have always strived that my team wins and comes on top.

Football will always be about the results because if you are winning and taking good results you are not asking me about the young players.

I just try and play where the manager puts me as well as possible.

I just try to make sure that when I get there on the floor, I play as hard as I can and try to do everything I can to help the team win.

The thing it taught me was that winning's a helluva lot more fun than losing. It also taught me that the team with the best players that worked together the best wins.

I don't consider myself as the best player in the world. I'm not obsessed with individual titles. I'm much more interested in being part of a team which wins trophies.

If I need to help my team and play a different position for that game because somebody is hurt or they want to give a day off to somebody, I'll do it.

A team wins with the elimination of mistakes and with people who want to win and can't stand losing.

I wouldn't feel good about it at all. At the end of the day I'm here to win a team prize, and that's to win a championship, not an individual prize.

It's about how the players play and compete. I know everybody is going to equate that on winning or losing, like they always do, but if we play hard and compete well in the game .. then I think we are building on something.

I'm satisfied with the way I play, but I don't evaluate my performances. I worry about what I can contribute defensively. I don't need to score. As long as we win, I don't care how many points I score.