Ron Atkinson Quotes

The way Guardiola plays suits me. It enables me to get into space in attacking positions.

If I was to play on the left, I'd rather play there if there was three in midfield.

What interests Chiellini and I is not conceding goals. We're able to create chances and it makes us happy when we take them.

I'm a defender first and foremost, and if I'm playing right centre-half, I am even more of a defender than the wing-backs.

Whether a player rotates more or less depends on his form and his position. It's not the same for a center back as it is for a winger. Every player is different.

I like to play attacking football, but I think the big difference is that we expect a lot more from our strikers, to do more pressing and to keep compact. We like to play a high line defensively and press the ball.

Italy do not only defend; they can attack, too. They have attacking qualities, and they create chances.

As a winger, you want to get at defenders and make it hard for them. Instead of them going forwards, they have to defend against you.

When you play against a Spanish team, especially Madrid, it is quite an open game.

To score goals, you need to receive the ball in advantageous positions.

Most teams - whether they like it or not against Manchester City - you're going to find yourself quite often penned in your own half.

Tactically, Italians are very strong. They are a lot into tactics: how to defend, when you lose the ball, where will you be?

I came from Ajax where you play 4-3-3 and as a winger they didn't want you to defend.

In football, there has always been this idea of having a left-footer and a right-footer in central defence.

That's part of my game: just running the wing, defending.

If my forward arrives in a one vs one situation, I always say: 'let him work it out.' Then my players say: But we can help him!'. My reply is: First, there's a good chance you'll only run in his way, and as a second attacker you're drawing a second defender with you, and two vs two is harder than one vs one.'

You're always supposed to follow-up any cross or whatever towards the goalkeeper.

For me, possession is to keep the ball while you are waiting for the possibility to penetrate. Every pass is for a reason.

Defending is not only done by the defenders, just as attacking is not only down to the forwards.

Every striker is stronger when we play with wingers.

When I used to get the ball on the wing, I'd go fast and I'd go right. Veterans in this league, they watch film. They're definitely going to strategize. They know you like to go right. They know what your moves are.

Many managers prefer to play with wingers that cut inside a lot and don't hug the touchline.

As a fast player, I want to receive the ball facing the opposition goal, which gives me more vision.

I've never been one to go past 20 players on the wing. I'm always going to be the guy sneaking the ball through, to build and create something.

When you come to a place like Old Trafford, you have to defend, and the system is in place for perfectly good reasons.