Sunday 18 October 2015

Herrera proves Van Gaal should build team around him

Ander Herrera is possibly the most popular United player among supporters and proved again on Saturday why he should be a certain starter.

"I want to go to an away game with our wonderful fans" Herrera beamed, but following his weekend heroics he may need to wait a while before watching a game from the stands.

Elusive, dynamic and decisive, Herrera brought thrust and impetus to United's attack at Everton as he exhibited his credentials as LVG's playmaker.
He was injured at Arsenal, and we missed his spark and aggression in that chastening reverse at the Emirates.


With 11 goals in 27 United starts, Herrera has emphatically justified United's insistence on signing a player scouted by Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes but signed by Van Gaal, albeit whilst he coached the Dutch in Brazil.

Herrera is the energetic midfielder we've been deprived of for the best part of a decade.
He creates goals, scores goals, works hard and isn't afraid of getting stuck in (he had the distinction of ending Steven Gerrard's last game against us after 38 seconds).

Surging forward from midfield to finish expertly, his third of the season was reminiscent of Paul Scholes in his pomp but what resonates most is that he seems to almost represent his love of the club and the fans through his performances on the pitch.

An obvious victim of Van Gaal's 4-2-3-1 in pre-season, Herrera has demonstrated in his six starts this term that he is the nimblest and most productive playmaker we've got.
Memphis was ambushed, Adnan Januzaj dawdled, Juan Mata floundered and Wayne Rooney reaffirmed he is too tactically indisciplined to return to role he was developed for.


Just consider Herrera's impact this season since LVG pushed him forward for the second-half in Brugge: three goals and two assists in six games and Herrera's eight league goals have come from 10 attempts on target.

"It was a fantastic performance from him, I was very happy but I maybe need him on Wednesday so I had to spare him." said Van Gaal, referring to the substitution of Herrera at Everton.

Whatever our shape or system, Herrera, accompanied by Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, has to be United's midfield trio.
Backed by two defensive-minded team-mates, Herrera could develop into the full-time playmaker in a formidable triumvirate.


His manager's treatment of him has sometimes been hard to fathom, particularly as he is the player that makes us tick.
Having said that, LVG's man management of the Spaniard during the international break was exceptional. 


He enjoyed a weekend break in Venice with his family and had five days of training to capitalise on his team-mates international commitments to prove he merited a start at Goodison, and Marcos Rojo also benefited, producing his best performance in a United shirt at 
left-back.

Arguably man of the match in our April Old Trafford derby victory over City, Herrera's selection for Sunday's corresponding fixture could be pivotal.
Ever the hard taskmaster, when asked about Herrera's role at Goodison, van Gaal was as straight-talking as ever.

"When Herrera is playing like that it is difficult to not select him, but of course it is possible and I can do it."

Herrera can always stand with the fans. 

No comments:

Post a Comment