Manchester United Transfer News: Ander Herrera Sale Would Be a Big Mistake

After strengthening their midfield options significantly in the summer window, Manchester United are well-stocked when it comes to players who can do an astute job in the middle of the park. With that in mind, it'd be no surprise to see a few players on the books shipped out in January, but Ander Herrera—a £28.5 million acquisition from Athletic Bilbao—should not be one of them.

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According to fichajes.net (h/t Metro), the 25-year-old could leave Old Trafford for £19 million in the January window, with a host of teams—including Tottenham Hotspur—keen to take him off United’s hands. According to Bruce Archer of the Express, Louis van Gaal will look to bolster his midfield options further in January, with Sami Khedira, Kevin Strootman and Arturo Vidal linked.

Herrera enjoyed a wonderful start to his career with the Red Devils, but since being hauled off at half-time in United’s 2-2 draw with West Bromich Albion, he hasn’t played a single minute in the iconic red strip. But that doesn’t warrant him being discarded without being given appropriate crack of the whip in the Premier League.

Here are some of the qualities that prompted United to part with a substantial sum for his services:

Upon completing his move to Manchester, Herrera's class was noted very early on by Mark Ogden of The Times:

Indeed, players who arrive in the Premier League often find it difficult to adapt to the abrasive nature of English football, but for Herrera, the early signs were that he was handling this period of transition astutely. He resembled a fine foil for Angel di Maria in United’s midfield diamond, the time of the season in which the Red Devils played their most vibrant football.

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The former Athletic man has a tenacity about his play that compliments his technical flair, which was on show in earnest in plenty of his displays, despite United enduring a turbulent start to life under Van Gaal. It’s also worth considering that Herrera’s early weeks as a Red Devil have been punctured by persistent rib injuries.

Nonetheless, his performances ensured that he made it into WhoScored.com’s European team of the month for September alongside some pretty illustrious names, per UtdReport:

And although he’s out of favour at the moment, Herrera is a footballer who ticks all the boxes when it comes to the requisite demands Van Gaal historically places on his players. He’s industrious, dynamic, classy in possession, and perhaps most importantly of all, he’s versatile. For a manager who has already deployed three different formations in the infancy of his United career, that it a vital characteristic.

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During his time with the Basque outfit, Herrera showcased an ability to play not only as an orthodox central midfield player, but as either the deep-lying playmaker or even as a classic No. 10, drifting into space and causing real problems in the opposition’s final third.

Indeed, it’s something Bleacher Report's Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, touched upon last summer in a column for The Telegraph, as well as Herrera's admirable temperament:

"

He can help organise the attack but I think his main strength is in finding gaps to pass to forwards – only Cesc Fabregas gave more through balls last season than him.

His goal contribution could be improved but his work ethic and dedication are beyond reproach and his experience at the cauldron that is the San Mames make him more than prepared to deal with the pressures that come with joining the Old Trafford family.

"

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Names like Khedira, Strootman and Vidal will do plenty to stir excitement among the United faithful, but given the appropriate time, Herrera has all the tools to flourish. And while the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick are currently in vogue, neither represent as enticing a long-term option when compared to the effervescent abilities of the 25-year-old.

There has already been plenty to suggest that the Spaniard has the class and the clout to be a success at Old Trafford, and if Van Gaal is intent on shifting out some midfield players, there are plenty at United who warrant consideration long before Herrera comes into the reckoning.