Alexander Buttner spent two seasons at Manchester United, playing in 28 games, after Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Dutch side Vitesse.

He was then sold to Dynamo Moscow, where he was loaned out to Anderlecht. Having just signed for Vitesse again, Buttner has spoken about his time in England, making special reference to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard. Despite 17 seasons in Liverpool’s first team, Gerrard never won the league, with him famously slipping in his side’s defeat against Chelsea when they had been favourites to win the title in 2014.

I have just experienced a great adventure abroad. I played football at Manchester United. Which Dutch player can repeat that? In a team full of world stars.

Who can say that he has become champion of England? Steven Gerrard cannot, and he’s a celebrity. At United I played more games than I ever dreamed. I played in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Arjen Robben with Bayern Munich. Insane, right?