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Has Manchester United’s Ander Herrera justified speculation over an extended contract?
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera could be set to be rewarded for an exceptional last season at Old Trafford, with the reporting that he is on the verge of signing a lucrative deal.
It is understood that the 27-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract, is about to be offered a four-year extension worth £175,000-a-week – a £75,000 increase on his current package.
And, with Spanish newspaper claiming that Barcelona have been sniffing around Herrera this summer, Jose Mourinho will be keen to secure his midfield maestro’s long-term future.
The Spaniard’s sudden rise to the top of his game is testament to the faith that Mourinho has kept in him and the promise and potential that he has seen in the Spaniard, with Herrera struggling for regular first-team opportunities during his first few years at Old Trafford during Louis van Gaal’s spell as manager.
Despite making over 25 appearances in each of his three seasons since joining from Athletic Bilbao, his first two seasons were spent coming off of the bench, struggling to gain momentum on the pitch.
But Mourinho afforded him a lot of game-time at the front end of last season, boosting his confidence, and since then the 27-year-old simply hasn’t looked back in a breath-taking campaign.
It certainly says a lot that, in a team that has included the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly and the impressive Marcus Rashford, Herrera was United’s Player of the Year for last season.
But it’s hard to argue that it wasn’t deserved, being a figure of consistency and determination throughout an, at times, frustrating Premier League season that saw United fall short of the top four.
His man-marking masterclass of Eden Hazard will always stand-out, giving the Belgian no room at all to breathe for 90 minutes in an excellent display of discipline, tackling and reading of the game.
Yet this has just become a hallmark of Herrera’s game, getting stuck into the midfield and always relishing a gritty battle – this, allied with his intricate passing game, is the sign of a true all-rounder.
His leadership qualities have also come to the fore regularly this season, arguably single-handedly masterminding United’s second goal in the Europa League final against Ajax; under instruction from Mourinho to be in the box, he ordered Henrikh Mkhitaryan to swap – and seconds later he scored.
You have to be a very brave man to go against Mourinho’s strict plan of action, especially in a big European final, and this – along with other hints all season – suggest Herrera has captaincy potential.
Comparisons have already been made with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes and, although these are some pretty big boots to fill, it’s hard to deny that there are similarities between the two.
Extending his contract until 2021 will almost feel like a brand new signing for Mourinho such is the importance of Herrera to his side, and if United are successful next season he will play a leading role.
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