It’s that time of the season when players from clubs all over the country jet off to take part for their national teams, and with that, we see a two-week break from Premier League football. For the majority, this period is a bit dull, but for one Manchester United player, it may well be the proudest moment of his professional career to date – and it’s richly deserved.
Ander Herrera, now 27, is of proud Basque heritage and had played in Spain until 2014 when a move to his beloved Manchester United came to fruition. The smiling Spaniard made an immediate impression on the Old Trafford faithful, who loved his high work ethic and his willingness to learn more about the club.
Over the next couple of seasons, he drifted in and out of the side but continued to earn the affection of the fans who see him as one of their own. Things changed this summer when Jose Mourinho came in, and Herrera once again became a pivotal fixture in the starting eleven, and rightly so.
This international break has all of the sudden become huge for the midfielder, as he has finally earned a call-up to the full Spain squad – four years since his final appearance for the U21 side in which he won it all with alongside David de Gea and Juan Mata.
Now, he got fortunate as to how his inclusion in the Spain squad came about as it was down to an injury to Atletico Madrid starlet, Saul Niguez. However, the ever-professional Herrera was ready and waiting, and in fact cancelled his holiday break and arrived at Spain’s national team headquarters within the hour – proving just how dedicated to the cause he is.
Although Spain have an absolute embarrassment of riches in their ranks, the midfield is an area in which they haven’t really settled on specific players since the retirement of Xavi Hernandez. They love to play a three in midfield, and although two of those spots are locked down by Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta, that final spot is definitely up for grabs. Ander will have to beat out competition from Thiago Alcantara, Koke and Isco, who all could be used further up the field or out wide to make room for Manchester United’s midfield man.
As a Manchester United fan, I am truly overjoyed at the fact that Ander Herrera has earned this first bit of recognition at the highest level of international football. He has remained patient, continued to work hard and that perseverance has finally paid off. Now it’s up to him to keep impressing and get that big chance to pull on the Spanish jersey for the first time, whilst working hard enough to keep it. I know he can do it, and I’ve no doubts that he’ll succeed.
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