You’ve won individual honours so far in your career, but no team trophies so far - what would a first piece of silverware mean to you?

“It would mean a lot to me. I came to this club to win trophies and I know that this team’s capable of winning trophies.”



Do you think we’re having a good season overall?

“I think it’s a process. We’re going in the right direction and that’s what we’re aiming for.”



This is a developing United team - could that first trophy be a launchpad for more?

“Yeah, I think that will help a lot, getting our hands on the first trophy. It will boost our confidence and help us go on to the next. That’s how Ole wants us to think: he wants us to get our first trophy, move on to the next one and just keep going for others.”



There’s also a real battle to finish in the top four in the Premier League. How would you assess that battle?

“I think our aim is to go game by game and just put pressure on the teams above us. Every battle is important to us and I think that’s the kind of thing that will help us get to where we want to be.”

You’re also still only in your first season, of course. How would you assess your own campaign so far?

“It’s going in the direction that I want it to go, I’m working hard and improving my game all of the time, I just want to continue doing that.



Finally, you said at the start of the season you wanted to be on top of the tackling charts at the end of the season – how do you feel you’re doing there?

“I think I’m second at the moment [behind Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira], and I’m happy with that for now, just to be right up there. First place is the target by the end of the season!”

This interview first appeared in Sunday's edition of United Review.