Gabriel spoke exclusively to MUTV’s Mark Sullivan, in fluent
English, moments after being unveiled as a summer signing alongside
Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia.
How does it feel to be here?
I am very
happy. I am proud to be here. I will try to prove to the boss what
I can do and then we will see.
What do you hope to achieve here at Manchester
United?
I hope to become a better player, to improve
and progress because I’m only 20. I know I’ll have to work
hard.
There are many fantastic players here. Are you excited
to be amongst them?
Yes, very excited. I look forward
to playing with them. I know I’m surrounded by great players like
Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney so I know it will be hard (to get
into the team) but I am very excited.
Do you feel that playing with these great players can
make you a better player?
Yes, even training with
them is great. I hope I will have the chance to play with them on
the pitch.
What can you tell us about your style of
play?}
I think I’m quick and technical – I do a lot
of tricks. I like to dribble, to have the ball and take on a
defender, face to face.
You’ve represented your country at various levels – for
example you scored against England for the Under-21s. Is it your
ambition to play at the very top for France?
Yes,
although it is pretentious to talk about the first (senior) team
now. I am an Under-21 international now and I will work hard. Maybe
then, at the end of the season, I may have a chance to
get in (into the senior squad.)
Who are your sporting idols?
I love very
much Rivaldo, the Brazilian footballer, Kaka and Cristiano
Ronaldo.
So will you try and emulate some of Ronaldo’s ability
here?
I will try but he is a great player. He won the
Ballon d’Or last year so it will be difficult. I will have to
improve and progress a lot, then we will see.
We have had some fantastic French players here in the
past – Eric Cantona, Laurent Blanc and Fabien Barthez – and in the
present with Patrice Evra. Do you hope to follow in their
footsteps?
I hope so. It will be difficult. All the
players you name are internationals so I hope I can follow
them.
Did Laurent Blanc, your coach at Bordeaux, talk to you
about your move to United?
Yes, I called him before I
left and he told me it was a big club with a big structure. He also
wished me good luck. So that’s all he told me but he was very
confident (for me).
Has Laurent been an influence on your
career?
A little bit, even if he was a defender and I
am a forward. But he was an influence because he was very technical
for a defender, clever with the ball.
Finally, we understand you have a slight injury at the
moment. Nothing too serious, we hope?
No, it’s not
serious. I just have to be patient and wait to have a full
recovery, then come back stronger.