HERRERA THRIVES ON KEEPING BOSS HAPPY

KEY player Ander Herrera is so desperate not to miss a game, he will play wherever Jose Mourinho tells him – even in goal. The Spain midfielder has quietly grown into one of Manchester United’s major figures on their march to tomorrow’s Europa League final. There is even talk of him being a future captain, having displayed not only great form but an attitude he believes is vital for any player who wants to survive at Old Trafford. Herrera knew he would have an opportunity the minute Mourinho took over last summer. He said: “The manager told me I was going to be an important player if I do what he wanted me to do. I’m always open to learning. I am always open to adapting myself to a new role and a new position. “It’s not so easy to play for Manchester United, for example, as a No.10. When you play for a big club, a No.10 has to score 10 or 15 goals and have 10 or 15 assists. “So I say to myself, if I want to play every game for Manchester United, which is my dream, I have to do something else for the club and for the manager. “I think the manager and myself have a good understanding. We understand football the same way and think the same; if you give everything, you’re going to help the team. I can play at No.6, No.8 or No. 10. “I always say I don’t have a preference because sometimes you perform better as a No.6, sometimes it’s better to be No.8 and sometimes to be No.10. I just try to give solutions to the manager. He knows I can play at 6, 8 or 10. Even No.2 – I did against Everton at home. “And if one day he wants me to play as a keeper, I will try my best. I think that’s the right attitude and it’s the attitude every Manchester United player has to have.” Herrera is feeling the effects of a punishing season that will culminate in a 64th game. “It’s very hard overall,” he told ESPN FC. “Premier League games are never easy. In other countries big teams can rotate players and keep winning. In England, that’s not possible because every team is capable of winning every game against every opponent.” On following in the footsteps of the likes of Wayne Rooney (above) to become skipper, he added: “The captains of this club are legends. I feel I still have to win things for the club to deserve that.”