Marouane Fellaini Absence Gives Ander Herrera Chance to Impress at Man United

Ander Herrera has had an interesting 18 months.

He saw a move to Manchester United collapse on deadline day in 2013 thanks, in part, to the bizarre involvement of three mysterious Spanish lawyers, later branded impostors, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.

And after finally securing a move to Old Trafford this summer, he was signed at a time when United didn't have a manager. It was more than two weeks after the £28 million deal for Herrera was announced that Louis van Gaal officially started work at Carrington. 

The Spanish midfielder's performances provided some of the highlights during a disappointing start to the season. But ankle and rib injuries, combined with the resurgence of Marouane Fellaini, caused him to lose his place in the team.

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To make matters worse, he's also become embroiled in a match-fixing scandal in Spain, although it's a situation in which he claims he is entirely innocent of any wrong-doing, again as reported by the Manchester Evening News. It's been quite a roller-coaster.

At his weekly press conference on Friday, Van Gaal revealed Fellaini won't play at Aston Villa on Saturday because of illness. 

It's bad news for Van Gaal, who has seen the Belgian midfielder become a key part of the team that has won six games in a row. But it's positive for Herrera, who stands to benefit from Fellaini's enforced absence. 

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It seems strange after Herrera looked so impressive on his debut against LA Galaxy that, by mid-December, he's having to rely on Fellaini's misfortune to get a game.

Since Fellaini replaced Herrera at half-time in the 2-2 draw at West Brom in October, Herrera has started just once.

But United are at a stage of their development where they need Fellaini's strength and power. Herrera, all touch and technique, seems to be more Van Gaal's type of player. But the Dutchman is experienced enough to know that when things aren't going quite to plan, a physical, awkward presence in midfield is a good thing to have.

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United might have won six in a row, but Van Gaal is the first to admit they are not playing particularly well. 

With Fellaini missing and Angel Di Maria still recovering from a hamstring injury, it's likely Herrera will start at Villa Park on Saturday. He's found a lot of competition at Old Trafford since his move from Athletic Bilbao, but it's a chance to prove he shouldn't be the one to keep missing out.

Van Gaal said at his press conference this week he wanted his team to dominate opponents. Herrera, with his metronomic passing, intelligent movement and relentless running, is the type of player who can help do that.

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It's no coincidence that Herrera has played a central role in the two performances Van Gaal has been happy with, against QPR and Hull City at home.

If United can come up with a third at Villa Park on Saturday with Herrera at the centre of it, Van Gaal won't be able to keep him out much longer. 

And for Herrera, it would end a roller-coaster 18 months on a high note.