Veron 'humiliated' in England

June 4, 2002

Argentina's Juan Sebastian Veron has said that at times during his first season in England with Manchester United he felt "humiliated".

The midfield playmaker insisted that he had "no feelings for the English people" ahead of the countries' clash on Friday.

And Veron is concerned only with his national side after putting behind him a difficult first season at Old Trafford.

The Argentine cost United £28.1m last summer when he moved from Lazio, but he struggled with injuries as well as finding his best position within the team.

"I just wanted to show the Manchester United fans what I can do," said the Argentine.

"At times I felt like I've been humiliated."

But Veron refused to say that he would still be a United player at the start of next season.

"I would like to talk about my future but I don't think this is the right time. Maybe after the World Cup.

"There are some clubs in Italy interested in me. For now we will just have to wait and see."

And for the moment Veron is insistent that the fact that he plays alongside several England internationals at club level does not diminish his desire to win on Friday.

"Everyone will now be going on about me playing against England," he said.

"But I am not playing against England, I am playing for my country, Argentina. I have no feelings for the English people.

"Of course I know players in the England team - some of them very well because they play for my club.

"But my concern is for my country. Our people back home will expect us to win."

BBC Sport Online