Categories: EditorialPremier League

Ander Herrera is everything Man United should be today

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Ander Herrera of Manchester United celebrates scoring their first goal during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 18, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

“Play for the name on the front of the shirt and they will remember the name on the back.”

Not just the name, Man United fans will remember every tackle, every act of bravery and every single thing that proves that what Ander Herrera is something that Manchester United currently lack. They would feel proud every single time they saw Ander Herrera play for Manchester United.

The desire to cover every blade of grass, the hunger to win games in whatever way possible and the fight to grab games by the scruff of their necks. That is everything Manchester United lack today. What the man stands for is everything that Manchester United miss.

More than that, what he is signifies everything Manchester United used to be. Even if he’s not the best player, he’s the player who cares the most. Manchester United have had so many players in the past who weren’t the best but their hate for losing and lust for winning made them great at the club.

When times were dark, he gave his all to light the fire. When it seemed as though no one cared, he did care every single time. Because of that, he became a player every United fan could relate to and connect to. Someone they could identify with.

If he played ten years ago, Ander Herrera would have signed a new contract a season ago. He is the club’s best signing in the post- Sir Alex Ferguson era not because he’s the best player but because of who he is. Because of the individual he is.

It is important to note that United tried to sign him once before they actually signed him. The first time, attempts to sign the Basque midfielder were spoilt by imposters and United were left to make do with Marouane Fellaini. And that season, United lacked someone they could look at feel proud. No player made United fans happy.

Then came Herrera from Bilbao. He made every Old Trafford faithful happy. From his goal against Queens Park Rangers to the performances under Ole Solskjaer this season, he has never let the club or the fans down. He has made sure that the club is seen in the best light, no matter who the manager was. Never did he have issues with the passing of batons at the helm of affairs.

The only thing he cared about was winning. And winning one way or another. That mattered more to him that selling his merchandise or Instagram. He hated losing and giving up- like many of the club’s heroes from the times gone by. Be it Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, Steve Bruce, David Beckham, Roy Keane or Nemanja Vidic.

And the mess Manchester United are in, the leadership and authority the club lacks, they are letting go off a proper leader. It might be tough to find another one soon. Players like him are a rare breed today.

A season on, Manchester United will realise what they had with him. When he’s gone.

Kaus Pandey

Kaus is a freelance football writer, who prior to producing content for Insidemnsoccer, has written for Calciomercato, TheseFootballTimes, GetGermanFootball News and Manchester Evening News.