I don't think it is a stretch to suggest there was fairly widespread devastation among the Manchester United fanbase when Ander Herrera announced he was leaving the club in 2019 after five years of service.
The farewell video produced by the club was sensational, conveying Herrera's love for United and for Manchester as a city. At the same time, it was completely gut-wrenching. "There is red in my heart," was the opening line. It was an emotional watch.
To consider he has been gone for over three years is staggering - this is now the fourth season without him. United have missed a player like him since, and it is abundantly clear that he misses United too.
Credit: James Baylis/AMA via Getty Images
Herrera's time at United should never have ended when it did, and in the rather shameful manner that it did on the club's behalf.
Speaking on the Official Manchester United Podcast, Herrera spoke frankly about his United exit, saying: "It's not the moment to talk bad about anyone and I am not going to do it, but after my third season with the club I expected a little bit more from the club at that time."
And he is completely correct. "I got the player of the year award by the fans and the club didn't call me that summer to sign a new contract, and they did with other players," he said. "That was painful for me, honestly."
That pain is totally vindicated. The reality is that Herrera fell foul to the torrid mismanagement at board level that had long been riddling the club. For instance, the likes of Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have been awarded new contracts despite being on the fringes.
But for Herrera there was nothing. He was pretty much left neglected by the club until it was justifiably deemed too late. "They didn't come at the right moment in my opinion," he said.
There have been accusations since Herrera's departure that he was a difficult figure in negotiations, demanding excessive money that the club weren't willing to pay. But, when you look at it realistically, that would be considerably out of character. This was obviously not the case - nothing ever reliably suggested there was any truth behind this.
In any case, no player will wait for an eternity for a contract to be offered. They have to think about their careers, and Herrera had to explore options otherwise he would be left without a club. Ultimately, feelings of being almost unwanted by those higher up in the United ranks were completely understandable.
Credit: James Williamson/AMA via Getty Images
It is quite astonishing that the club held off so long without making an offer to Herrera. He was a player that always gave his all for the United badge, conducting himself with tireless enthusiasm and exuding passion like few other players at the time.
"Everything," was his response when asked what United means to him on the United Podcast. He was in tears after being questioned about his exit from the club, and he could barely put into words what Manchester United means to him without getting emotional again.
He always wore his heart on his sleeve, and crying when speaking about United epitomises the love Herrera has always held and will always hold for United. His connection to the club was something special, and he has made it clear that he still follows United intently with Erik ten Hag now in charge.
There is no wonder he quickly became such a fan favourite. Chants of "ole ole Ander Herrera" would ring round the concourses at Old Trafford and on the road every week, with banners saluting Herrera also commonplace among United fans.
And that relationship was invariably two-way. Herrera always came across as a grounded, humble person who always gave time to the fans, signing autographs and taking photographs with supporters when opportunities arose.
Winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award - voted for by fans - after a stellar 2016/17 season, during which United won the EFL Cup and the Europa League, was a deserved accolade for Herrera and a reward for his unwavering commitment to United.
Credit: Matthew Peters via Getty Images
Herrera is 33 years old now and returned to Athletic Club in the summer after three years with Paris Saint-Germain, which saw him win Ligue 1 twice and start in a Champions League final. Time has flown - it doesn't seem that long ago since he signed for United as a 24-year-old in the summer of 2014.
There was intrigue surrounding the acquisition of Herrera by United at the time given he had produced a standout performance at Old Trafford in 2012 as Bilbao beat United in the Europa League. And that intrigue materialised, with Herrera becoming a significant part of the furniture at United over five years at the club.
He was a player that would always step up on the biggest occasions. One particular highlight of his successful 2016/17 campaign was the production of one of the Premier League's greatest individual performances as United beat league-winners Chelsea 2-0 at Old Trafford. He displayed his trademark intensity as he successfully nullified Eden Hazard - the best player in the league at the time - and followed him absolutely everywhere in a man-marking masterclass. Adding to that, he scored one and assisted United's other goal.
Herrera's goal celebrations were always something to behold - performed with gusto amid a release of unbridled jubilation. It wasn't just goals that were celebrated in such a manner either, with other moments in matches marked with fist bumps and all.
Stretching beyond United, there was a genuine appreciation and adoration of English football, its history and its nuances. Herrera twice scored in the FA Cup at Huish Park against Yeovil Town, and he has since recalled such affairs in glowing terms, also mentioning a visit to Cambridge United as a memorable match during his United Podcast appearance.
He was also one of the first to speak out against the European Super League, and he has acknowledged the impact that it could have had on sides such as Altrincham FC - local to his house in Manchester - lower down the football pyramid.
Credit: Michael Regan via Getty Images
As a United fan, it is nigh-on impossible to find anything bad to say about Herrera - as a football player who conducted himself immaculately on the pitch, and as a human being too. His knack of fighting even for every lost cause is an admirable trait that should be adopted by footballers far and wide.
It leaves a bitter taste thinking of his United exit, thinking of the fact that his chapter in Manchester could still be ongoing as we speak.
That said, hopefully one day Herrera can return to the club in some capacity. There would be few things more brilliant than to see him back at Old Trafford.
Comments