I played in Rotterdam but went to school and lived in Den Haag. It’s about 15-20 minutes away and, every day, I would go on the Metro. I remember every day, being on that Metro to Rotterdam.



The first year was training. Board the train, then the bus would pick us up at Rotterdam station and take us to training. Afterwards, I would get a shower and I’d go to school for the rest of the day, so it was full on. I was mixed in with everyone but the school was only for sports people. It was like an academy for football, tennis and everything.



It was so different, even the positioning on the pitch and all the stuff that you had to learn about where to go. Feyenoord really helped me.



Obviously, I was used to being freer and just running about in Curacao. But it was different at Feyenoord. Everything was different. I was looking around a bit to see what I could learn. I just wanted the ball to go and beat players. It was the only thing I knew.



Over time, I learned the other stuff on the pitch and it helped me enormously with my game, just to have that understanding of it. I admit I still feel like a free spirit in my game. It is really always going to be there but I try to do it in a correct way and within the correct system.



Every step of the way, my dad has been there with me. That’s still the case now that I’m at United. I’ve been here for over three years now and he hasn’t missed a single game I’ve played. As I got a bit older, he became more critical of me. Most of the time, I am more critical. I am very self-critical of my performances.



It’s just about growing up. My dad doesn’t say that much now. He just gives me advice. I have got to keep the standards high for myself. I think he is proud of me, though.



When we do get time and we go back to where it all started, compared to where I am now… I know there is still a lot of work for me to do but he can definitely be proud of me.



They are definitely proud of me back in Curacao. Everyone there is basically supporting United. The whole of the island, probably because of me, are following everything to do with us and it’s really cool to see every time I go home.



I go back every summer, see the same people there every year and it’s still the same place really. Bits change, but it’s still my paradise home. For everyone from Holland, their first destination is Curacao. I was surprised in England that not a lot of people are aware of it because everyone in Holland knows it!



That might change here in England. I’ve started to tell some of the boys and even the United staff about it. We’ve got the beaches, of course, the fishing is great, the scuba diving is scary but fun and there’s a lot for the boys to see and do. Maybe in a couple of years some of them will head over for their holidays.