Petrucci full of ambition

Davide Petrucci has been a stand-out player in the Reserves this season.His performances recently earned the 20-year-old from Rome a place in the travelling squad at Tottenham, and there are high hopes his undoubted talent will translate into first-team progression. It’s what Petrucci has his heart set on… Are you pleased with how the season is going? I’m happy because we are doing so well. We’re top of the league and we’re working hard to stay there. We hope to win the league [the Northern section was clinched on Monday]. People say it’s more about the performances than the results at Reserves level, but all the players seem determined to win the league… Yes – at the end of the day, you always want to win. You can play well and you want to improve every day but, if you win, that is the best feeling you know. How much have you had to adapt your game personally? Warren Joyce has praised your running and tackling… When I came here, I obviously wasn’t used to English football. They told me that, to play in England, you have to play with the ball but also do the defensive part. That’s what I’m trying to be focused on now. I feel better because I had injuries but now I feel good so I want to push myself. Are you more of a complete midfielder now? Obviously I like to play going forward. But I need to be ready to do everything – sometimes you have to play in front of the defence, sometimes in the middle. You just have to be ready to do everything. If you are a complete midfielder, you have more chances to do well. How pleased are you to captain the Reserves? I feel very proud when I am on the pitch wearing the armband. Just playing for United is so good. I try [to lead by example] but they are all great lads and they know how to behave already. You were on the bench for the first team as part of the travelling squad at Tottenham, although you weren’t a substitute... Yes, I travelled with the team and that was such a great experience. That was my dream – to play for the first team – so that’s been my target and I want to achieve that. Hopefully I can have more chances. The next step up will be to be on the bench and making my debut would be my dream. Do you feel you’re close to breaking through? I’m not far but, at the same time, it’s still far off. I have to work very hard here at United. Even the biggest player is never settled [in terms of his place] and there are always challenges in front of them. It’s the same for everyone. Do you feel settled in Manchester? I love it. I really love it. It’s just the weather! I still don’t like the weather because I like the sunshine. I think if you had the Italian sunshine here, you would have the best part of the world. It’s not always sunny in Rome, but it’s definitely more sunny than here. We have a few Italian lads here – has that been a benefit for you? Very much. I was already friends with Kiko [Federico Macheda] before coming here. We are like brothers. I was a Roma player and he was at Lazio, but it doesn’t matter because we were friends and together for Italy. We lived close to each other. Even if we were playing for different teams, we were very close and he and his family helped me so much. They made me feel at home. There’s also [Alberto] Massacci and [Michele] Fornasier – we enjoy spending time together. Was it a culture shock for you coming to England from Italy? It was so difficult at the beginning. I didn’t speak English and didn’t know anyone. The weather – oh my god, it was horrible! It was so hard; everything was new and the football was different. I’d to go to Kiko’s house and eat Italian food and spend time with them. I got an English teacher and slowly learned the language. Which other players helped you to settle? Rio [Ferdinand] really helped. As did Giggsy. Patrice Evra was good to me too, as he speaks Italian. Everyone was kind and I liked that. Being out injured must have been difficult... It was a nightmare. It was horrible and so frustrating. There was nothing I could do – I tried everything and anything, but nothing worked. Then I met some people and United helped me a lot as well and I got through that. And now I feel so good. Your tackling shows how powerful you’ve become… It’s good when you win a tackle. It’s a great feeling to help your team. Sometimes you can make a good pass, but sometimes a good tackle is just as important. Some of your passing is exceptional. The one with the outside of your foot to Febian Brandy a few years back is a YouTube favourite... I like passing with the outside of my foot. I like to make chances for my team-mates. It’s something I really enjoy doing and, yes, I think it’s a good thing when someone scores because you set them up. You’ve been on the scoresheet too of late... I’ve scored a few this year but want to score more – I’m capable of doing that. I used to play more behind the striker but now I’m playing in front of the defence and it’s why I don’t have as many chances as before. But, when I get the opportunity, I’m looking to score more. Will your future role be further forward? I don’t know. I want to be ready to play anywhere on the pitch. If a player is capable of playing anywhere, he’ll get more chances to do well and to play. You gave an interview in Italy in which you said you were absolutely determined to make it at United. Is that true? It’s my dream. I would love to play for United. That is my aim and my target for the moment. That's the reason why I left home at 16. [It was brave] leaving without my family, but Kiko helped me a lot. Everything was new for me, however I wanted to play for United so badly – so badly – that’s why I did it. Do you think United is genuinely a family club? Everyone is so friendly that they make you feel at home. The first time I came here, it felt like home. That’s why I enjoy it here and why I want to play here. Other players, like Kiko, have had loan moves. Is that something you’d consider? Yes. Obviously I’d like to play for United first and I need to play first-team football. I’ve been injured for three years and need to play games. I am playing games this year but playing for the first team would be the next step. It’s not easy to play for United so if I do get the chance to go on loan to get some experience, hopefully I can come back stronger. Perhaps the summer tour could be an opportunity for you? It could be a very good chance as well for me. Every day, there’s the chance to impress manager, but hopefully that could be another great opportunity. So you’re pleased you moved to Manchester? I would do it 100 times again. It’s so good being here.