Zoran Tosic was given a fleeting taste of first-team
football with the Reds soon after his New Year arrival from
Partizan Belgrade.
After making his debut in January's FA Cup win over
Tottenham, he featured in the victories over West Brom and Hull
City, but spent the remainder of the campaign plying his trade in
the Reserves.
Now on tour in Asia with the senior squad, the Serbian
international spoke exclusively to MUTV
about his life at Old Trafford and outlined his ambitions for
the 2009/10 season.
How have you enjoyed your time at Manchester United so
far?
Well, I’m very happy to play for this club and
I’m trying to do my best every day. I hope that in the next few
games [during pre-season] I’ll get my chance and when I do I’ll try
to play the best I can.
We’ve seen you play a lot in the Reserves. How has that
been for you?
For me it’s important to play games. In
the last six months I haven’t played for the first team so much. If
I’m only training then that’s not good – you have to play. I’m
happy to play a few games for the Reserves because it helps me keep
in good condition and means I’m ready if I get a chance in the
first team.
How does the game in England compare to that back in
Serbia?
It’s a very different kind of football and I
was very nervous during my first few matches here. You have to be
strong and very well prepared for every game. Everything’s
different but I’m used to it now. It’s normal for me. I think
it’s the best league in
the world, but also the hardest.
What have you had to do in order to adapt to playing in
England?
I have to do more on the physical side. In a
game you have so many challenges – you need to be very strong at
all times. I’m working in the gym a lot and I’m improving so I hope
I’m ready when the season starts. I’d like to play
more.
Who’s been the biggest help since you arrived at the
club?
Of course, Vida [Nemanja Vidic] has helped me
the most. I know him from the national team. He’s told me a lot
about the club, the way we like to play and what to do both on and
off the pitch. He’s with me all the time and helping me a lot. But
not only him – all the players have been very good to me.
What’s it been like on those occasions when you've played
for the first team?
The day I made my debut was the
most important day in my life because I played for the club that I
loved since I first started playing football. There were 75,000
people there so it was a very good atmosphere. You can only enjoy
that.
What’s it like travelling to the other side of the world
and playing in Asia?
This is my first tour but I hope
there’ll be more in the next few years. It’s very hot so the games
are tough. We have to train very hard and it’s difficult in this
weather. But I think it will help us for when we get back to
England – it will help us prepare for the new season.
What are your aims for the upcoming
campaign?
I’m trying to do my best in every training
session and every game. I hope I’ll get a chance and I’ll try to
make the most of that chance. I’m not thinking about how many games
I want to play – I just want to train hard and take my
opportunities.
From watching you in the Reserves we know you’re very quick
and you have lots of tricks in your locker. What do you most enjoy
about your game?
Playing for the first team is
different to the Reserves. In the Reserves you have more space and
you can play free football. In the first team it’s quicker and
stronger – there’s not so much space to do tricks. Instead you have
to play the ball quickly. I just want to do my best to do well for
the team. Then after that, maybe I’ll try some tricks!
We've heard you can take a good free-kick. If you get a
chance in the first team will you put your hand up to take them now
Ronaldo’s gone?
Of course I will… if they let me! I’m
practising every day on the training ground and I’m doing
well.
What have you made of Michael Owen?
I’ve been
watching Michael since I was a kid and I remember the goal he
scored for England against Argentina 10 years ago. I’m very happy
to be playing with him and the rest of the team. I’m happy for him
because he scored on his debut and I hope that I’m going to score
soon.