Why Manchester United should tie Ander Herrera down to a new contract
According to The Metro, Ander Herrera is ready to listen to offers from other clubs in January to quit Manchester United. Herrera is in the last twelve months of his contract and the Spaniard is frustrated over the club’s delay in handing him a new contract (h/t The Metro).
Herrera joined Manchester United from Athletic Bilbao for a fee of £29million in 2014. Since then, he has been a familiar name in the centre of the park for the Red Devils. The Spaniard has made a total of 112 appearances for United in the Premier League, contributing with 10 goals and 14 assists.
The 29-year-old started in an unfamiliar position at the right of a centre-back trio against Tottenham Hotspur, which ended in a 3-0 defeat for United. He also made a substitute appearance in the 2-0 win over Burnley.
Jose Mourinho, quite inexplicably, has not utilized the Spaniard in a central midfield role and instead deployed him as a quarterback in his first start of the season against Spurs. It was like putting a square peg in a round hole and Herrera was all over the place, confused about his role which ultimately led to disastrous consequences.
The manager favoured Brazilian midfielder Andreas Pereira, 22, over Herrera in a deep midfield role against Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion. The youngster looked quite positive in possession and was impressive with his movement off the ball but he lacked the composure to play a deep role in the midfield. Once Nemanja Matic returned, the youngster was sacrificed.
According to Daily Star, Paul Pogba’s relationship with Jose Mourinho has worsened after he missed a penalty against Burnley and the Frenchman might return to Juventus in the winter transfer window. With Pogba’s future in doubt and the club’s poor start to the ongoing Premier League campaign, Manchester United are currently in crisis mode and they should not aggravate the situation by letting Herrera depart in January.
To be honest, Herrera has been one of the most consistent players for United over the last three seasons or so. Herrera is certainly not one of the most exciting players on the field. Neither does he have an eye for the goal like an attacking midfielder nor does he have the height and physicality for a defensive midfielder. Yet, he can quietly dictate the tempo of the midfield with his precise passing. This is exactly what makes his presence an invaluable asset for the team.
Herrera’s presence in central midfield often allows Pogba and Jesse Lingard to venture forward and play in a more offensive role. While the 29-year-old is versatile enough to drop deeper and play as a sweeper for the backline, he is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder and can link play with the other attackers. His fine technique makes it difficult for the opposition to dispossess him.
Andreas Pereira and Scott McTominay are promising prospects but they are still young and are going through the developmental phases of their career. United will definitely need Herrera’s experience to flourish, especially in the Champions League.
That said, Mourinho should do everything to keep the Spaniard at the Theatre of Dreams.
