Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ander Herrera Future

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera could reportedly be handed a "lifeline" after Paul Pogba's injury as he looks to win back his first-team place. 

According to the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler, it is not just the summer arrival of Nemanja Matic that has led to the Spaniard's limited game time in 2017-18 but also a training-ground incident late last season.

Per Wheeler, Herrera "innocently invited a friend with close links to Celta Vigo to [training ground] Carrington" before United faced the Spanish side in the UEFA Europa League and consequently received a "dressing down" from manager Jose Mourinho.

"We used to joke that he was Jose's golden boy, and they were always chatting about the game," a source said, per Wheeler. "But the dynamic has changed since the end of last season. It's not the same." 

Fan favourite Herrera, 28, was voted United's player of the season in 2016-17, but he has been conspicuous by his absence in the new campaign, only making his first start of the season in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Stoke City. 

Rumours have even emerged in El Gol Digital and Deporte Valenciano that he could depart the Manchester club for either Valencia or Athletic Bilbao in January (via Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness).

However, Wheeler reported the incident from last season is not likely to jeopardise talks over a new contract for Herrera and that he could be back in the first-team fold after Pogba was sidelined.

The Frenchman limped off early during United's 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory over FC Basel on Tuesday and is expected to be out of action for at least a month, per BBC Sport (via ESPN FC's Ben Dinnery):

As a result, Herrera is likely to see much more action than he has so far this season.

The former Athletic star has less than a year remaining on his United contract, and James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph reported in July the Red Devils were working on tying him to a new long-term deal.

Despite his limited action in 2017-18, it would be a huge surprise were that not still the case.

As he has showed since joining United in 2014—particularly last season—Herrera is a player of enormous quality who will have a big role to play this term as United hunt for silverware domestically and in Europe.