How important can Ander Herrera become for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United?

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There is no hiding the fact this season has been a disappointing one for Manchester United, but as the season draws to a close, you get the feeling Jose Mourinho is starting to turn a corner with The Red Devils.

It has been a successful couple of weeks for Mourinho and his men, which has seen them book a place in the Europa League Semi-Finals and defeat title-bound Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have signed big name players, who have come, disappointed and moved on in recent times. Angel Di Maria, Falcao, Shinji Kagawa spring to mind.

The days of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville are long gone. The thing that made those players so special, as well as their indisputable talent, was the fact they wore the shirt like a boyhood fan of the club would. You felt as though they lived every moment, every success, every defeat, as the fans did themselves.

In a time where football is moving on, and players like these are a rare breed, there have been signs for sure that Ander Herrera can fill that void missing in Manchester United fans’ hearts.

Look no further than Herrera’s performance against Chelsea recently. The Spaniard put in a disciplined, industrious performance, nullifying Chelsea’s key man in an attacking sense, Eden Hazard.

A celebration from a player is something that shouldn’t be dismissed, but it’s celebrations like Herrera’s against Chelsea that make a player a fan favourite.

The knee slide into the ground, the double fist pump to The Stretford End. Herrera without a doubt is not only establishing himself as a first team regular, but as a player for the 75,000 to warm their hearts to.

In terms of Herrera’s playing style and characteristics, he certainly fits the bill for what Manchester United have been looking for. The Basque born man has a real desire to defend, but also a hunger to stick the ball in the net at the other end.

Turf Moor has proven to be one of the toughest places to go to in the Premier League. United came out 0-2 winners last weekend, and Herrera played a devastating pass for the assist to Anthony Martial’s opener.

A goal that came about due to the midfielder busting a gut across 70 yards of grass to support the attack and ultimately help his side gain the lead.

Herrera’s a well rounded footballer, who shows a high degree of maturity on the football pitch. It’s so important to have players in the midfield that want the ball constantly, that leave everything on the pitch at the end of the 90 minutes and players that wear the shirt with pride and passion.

At 27 years of ago, Herrera certainly has years left at the club, in an exciting time for Manchester United moving forward.

Champions League football is still hanging in the balance, but the way The Red Devils are playing you’d be surprised if Tuesday and Wednesday European nights weren’t back at the Theatre of Dreams next season.

As well as your Paul Pogba’s, Henrik Mkhitaryan’s and Anthony Martial’s – players who will have their individual moments of brilliance, you need a player at the heart of the side, and Herrera can become that if he maintains his levels of performance and commitment.

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