Veron set to put his best foot forward

ARGENTINIAN midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron is ready to show his best form after admitting his performances have been patchy since arriving Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s record £28.1m signing 17 months ago knows he still has his critics, but the opening goal in the 2-0 victory against Arsenal on Saturday showed he is at last coming to terms with life in England.

Tonight he lines up for United against Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions League ready to sparkle again in front of his home supporters.

Speaking through an interpreter, he said: “It has taken me time to settle. Frankly I didn’t play well last season. Now I want to show what I can do this season.

“You might be right about me needing to stamp my authority on a game. When I arrived here I had a lot of success, so this is a new challenge.

“I think any criticisms that have been made of me, I have always been ready to take those on board. I would say sincerely I have not been affected by them.

“I always try to do well in any game. There is a saying in Argentina that not everything is beautiful in football. You have to take the rough with the smooth.

“I always try and turn the criticism around to good effect to achieve greater things.

“It is my belief I have had the confidence of my team-mates, the technical staff and the manager. I have always been conscious of that.

“But obviously when you play well in a key game like Arsenal it always gives you a lot of personal confidence, a real boost in that respect. Hopefully things will carry on improving as a result.”

Veron, 27, was one of the players widely criticised after the derby defeat by Manchester City but he said the players and the coaching staff discussed what had gone wrong and vowed to change attitu des.

“We talked a lot among ourselves,” he said. “That defeat hurt our pride. The team has not changed but our attitude has. I am not saying it was wrong before but you have to remember just because you are wearing the Manchester United shirt you are not guaranteed victory.”

Veron has arguably shown his best form for the club in the Champions League and he wants to transfer those displays to domestic matches.

“My form in Europe is not something you can really explain, “ he said. “Certainly it is not because I have been trying harder or concentrating harder than in English league games.

“I have got to try and bring consistency from European games into the league and perform at same level from now on.”

Veron claims he has not felt any extra responsibility in midfield in the absence of David Beckham, Roy Keane and Nicky Butt.

“When you play for Manchester United it is enough responsibility wearing the shirt at a big club like this,” said the former Lazio star.

“You always feel the responsibility. no matter who is injured at the time. The only responsibility, I have felt is to try and avoid being injured.”

Beckham returns to the squad tonight after a rib injury and Veron said: “He is a real professional, he works 100% all the time and is a great player. The real shame this season is that he has not had a lot of luck with injuries.

“Nobody likes to see that.” In addition to Keane and Butt, the game has come too soon for defender Rio Ferdinand, who will be absent with a thigh injury

United beat Deportivo in the quarter-finals last season after losing home and away in the group stage.

Assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said: “They will make it very tough for us as they have some great

players.”