I was always taught by my father to challenge myself and to continue to evolve in my career, and I saw the move to Manchester United as an opportunity to grow as a player and as a person.
I have felt part of this club when I have travelled all around the world and been recognised as a Manchester United player. And when you're a Manchester United player you will forever be a Manchester United player.
There's nothing about my NBA journey that I would change - the teams, the cities, the teammates, the fans have all helped me grow into the player and person that I've become. Every time I moved, I saw the bright side. Always, I saw opportunity.
Leaving a club like Real and coming to as big a club as Manchester United makes you grow as a player and helps you progress in your career.
To be a Manchester United player, it requires a certain level of performance, mentality, and you have got to be proud to be a Manchester United player.
I don't like to compare years, honestly. I think every year is a different experience, a different challenge. You grow. You evolve as a person and as a player.
I always said to the directors that the minute a player becomes more powerful than the manager of Manchester United, it's not Manchester United. You have lost control of the whole club. So I always made sure that I was in control. They always knew who the manager was.
We just want to help carry it on and grow what Manchester United has been, whilst recognize worldwide maybe there is some more things we can do overseas to grow Manchester United which again benefits the community and the football at large.
It's hard for an up and coming player who has the eyes of Manchester United on them to take that opportunity and then sort of not given the opportunity to break through because of the quality already there.
I really rate Paul Scholes, because he hasn't got the high profile of many of the Manchester United players, he doesn't get too much attention, but he is one very good player. He is an intelligent player, he works hard and he scores some great goals. He is not flamboyant and is a quiet lad off the pitch but he is a tremendous asset to Manchester United and to England. He has already got my vote as player of the year.
I don't want to compare but when you're a Manchester United player, you're a Manchester United player for life.
There was one or two offers that did come along during my time at United, but I always came back to this point; why would you leave United? Where is the bigger challenge? And the thing about challenges is, once you have won something, you can't live on that. Not at Manchester United - you have got to win the next one. And that's the challenge. Maintaining that consistency of winning which is a mentality that I have had.
I think any player who joins Manchester United wants to win everything; I want to win every competition that Manchester United compete in.
Scholes is the best English player. Intelligence, technique, strength... all the attributes are there. At Manchester United I saw what he could do on the training field. Phew!
The Premier League is the best league in the world and Manchester United is the perfect place for me to continue to develop as a player.
I am very excited - it's a big opportunity for me to play for Manchester United, a new challenge for me. I will try to do my best.
I want to continue to grow and evolve, and I want to help other people grow and evolve.