Assessing the Role Ander Herrera Will Play for Manchester United
Ander Herrera was a key player in Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, and his performance in that game offered clues as to his role at United.
Herrera is a versatile midfielder. In his career so far he has played in central midfield, on the right of a midfield four, and as No. 10.
At United, however, his role is likely to be that of a central midfielder, albeit one who is adaptable to a number of different formations.
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Let us take a look at the functions he could serve in Louis van Gaal’s side.
The Right of a Diamond
Against QPR, Herrera nominally played on the right of a midfield diamond. However, his execution of that role was interesting. United’s midfield played an extremely fluid style, with the most advanced players, Herrera, Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria, occasionally rotating their positions.
This was particularly true of Mata and Herrera. QPR’s lack of pressing and Daley Blind’s assured presence in the deeper role meant that Herrera often had the freedom to get forward. This culminated in a goal and an assist for United’s new number 21.
When United lost the ball, Herrera was key in winning it back, making eight tackles, per WhoScored.com.
He and Blind had more defensive responsibilities than Di Maria or Mata, and they operated almost as a midfield two when United did not have the ball.
One of a 3-Man Midfield
Given Van Gaal’s history, it would be no surprise to see United deploy a traditional 4-3-3 at some stage. If Michael Carrick returns to form on his return to fitness, Herrera could be used as the most attacking of a midfield three of Carrick, Blind and the former Bilbao man.
With Carrick and Blind offering cover, Herrera would be free to complement the front three.
Herrera could also act as a holding midfielder alongside Blind in a three, with Mata or Di Maria as the third man. That would operate similarly to the midfield diamond used against QPR.
As Part of a Midfield Duo
The QPR performance, especially when United did not have the ball, made it pretty clear that, against more limited opposition, Blind and Herrera could certainly operate as a midfield pair. They could play that way in either a 4-4-2, with perhaps Di Maria on one flank and Adnan Januzaj on the other, or in Van Gaal’s 3-4-1-2.
They have the right combination of quality on the ball, positional sense and grit to form a fine duo. They would be exposed against both very physically strong and very quick opponents, but—especially if next season sees a return to European competition and the need for more rotation—having the option could be very valuable for Van Gaal.
Right Midfield
As mentioned previously, Herrera played wide on the right for Athletic Bilbao on several occasions. His change of position at the beginning of last season saw a dip in form, and it seems unlikely that he will be used there for United, except in emergencies.
Having said that, it is not too far-fetched to imagine an emergency on the right, given Antonio Valencia’s recent lack of form. One of the main problems with using Herrera there is it draws him away from midfield, and United are hardly blessed with quality alternatives in his more natural position.
No. 10
The second half of last season often saw him deployed in a No. 10 role for Bilbao. It is a role in which he is more than comfortable. During pre-season, United fans got a glimpse of his ability there in the second half of the 7-0 demolition of LA Galaxy.
The obvious issue is that United are well stocked with forward players and much less well stocked with midfielders.
Herrera’s future at Old Trafford lies in the middle of the park, and there is every reason to believe it can be a very bright future indeed.
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