Mourinho’s arrival at Carrington in May was supposed to signal the exits of some of Manchester United players. A dismal campaign last season had led to Louis van Gaal being shown the back door and a couple of players who had been underwhelming were going to follow suit.
Chief of them was Ander Herrera. The Spaniard was largely a bit-player all through LVG’s 2 seasons in charge, playing 53 league games largely off the bench.
However, in a turn of events, and perhaps fate, the 27-year-old is slowly becoming the main cog in Manchester United’s midfield. After a sluggish start to the season, he has thus far played a considerable amount of time in all of the last 4 games across all competitions.
Herrera’s resurgence has seen his earn his first national team call-up during the ongoing international break. And it’s coming 4 years after he last appeared as a youth international for Spain Under-23’s.
How has a nosediving career, speedily heading south few months ago suddenly been able to change direction?
He has taken his chances
Despite playing full time in Manchester United’s season opener against Bournemouth, Herrera was back on the bench as usual and expected. He played a total 57 minutes against Southampton and Manchester City but missed out entirely against Hull and Watford. His 3rd season at the club wasn’t starting on a very promising note.
However, an impressive display against Feyenoord in the Europe League despite an eventual loss earned him a starting shirt against Northampton in the league cup. Herrera once again put up a solid performance, controlling and dictating play with grit and tenacity.
The peak of it all was his role in crippling Leicester City, and subsequently helping United back to winning ways after consecutive league losses. The former Athletic Bilbao midfielder made light work of the defending champions, and that signalled the start of his ongoing resurgence.
Formed a better partnership with Pogba
With Carrick and Schneiderlin way out of first team contention, Fellaini began the season as Manchester United’s first-choice defensive midfielder. But his unimpressive displays have come under regular criticism as he wasn’t able to allow Pogba thrive.
Herrera excelled in the position at the first time of asking against Leicester City, and he is already beginning to form a great partnership with the most expensive player in the world.
Primarily a central midfielder and playmaker, Ander has adapted to life in his new position and might permanently make it his in the long-term.
Pogba is feeling more and more comfortable going forward, with Herrera doing well staying back and keeping the position. Just maybe this newly-found partnership is what both players need to get the best out of each other.
Mourinho has believed in his abilities
As evident in most of Manchester United players, the freedom to creatively express themselves on the field of play has been allowed by Jose. A contrast situation of what was allowed under the dismissed Dutch.
And that has allowed Herrera thrive. Despite being saddled with the responsibility of providing cover for the back four, he has always proven how much of an attacking threat he still remains.
The manager’s belief in the Basque has made a career-changing impression on him, and we might just have seen only the tip of the iceberg of what Herrera has for the watching world.