NIGHTMARE
ANDER HERRERA admits the thought of Manchester City and Liverpool winning the big trophies is a living nightmare.
Helping Manchester United to beat Chelsea to winning the FA Cup would salvage something from an underwhelming campaign at Old Trafford.
But the cup would not compare to City’s romp to the Premier League title, leaving United trailing in their wake.
To make matters worse, Liverpool are just one win away from landing the Champions League to become kings of Europe for a sixth time.
Herrera said: “If any player in the world tells you he doesn’t care about what the opponents do, he is lying to you.
“That’s first and foremost. But I don’t go crazy with that.
“Last season we won three trophies, this season we can still win one.
“If I could choose at the beginning of the season who wins the Premier League and who wins the Champions League – if we couldn’t be champions – I wouldn’t tell you Manchester City and Liverpool.
Respect
“I respect them and I have never hated anyone. But I cannot lie.
“If I can do a list at the beginning who I would choose as champions, if not United, then I wouldn’t choose City or Liverpool.
“But I want to emphasise that I respect them and I don’t hate anyone. Hate is not in my life.”
Herrera is keen to see United win the FA Cup for Sir Alex Ferguson, who is recovering from a brain haemorrhage that left him in intensive care.
The other incentive for the Spaniard is to boost his chances of prolonging his United career and securing a new contract with Jose Mourinho’s men.
Herrera’s deal is poised to enter the final 12 months.
He said: “All we know is the operation went quite well and all we want is to have Sir Alex in the stands for the final.
“Of course, it would be nice to win it for him. I want to be here next season and unless the club sack me, I will be here in pre-season and fighting to keep adding games to my total.
“But you never know what is going to happen in football.
“It is not only my decision and, to be honest, I don’t want to look too far ahead. In football, what today is black, is tomorrow white.
“So if you think about what can happen in the summer, maybe the club signs four midfielders and they don’t want me anymore.
“The only thing I can do is to train good. That’s all I can say and of course if the club wants to talk to me I will listen to them, because I am happy here.”
Herrera has mixed memories of recent games against Chelsea.
He saw red in an FA Cup defeat at Stamford Bridge last season, before scoring in a 2-0 home win over them a month later.
He is relishing locking horns with Antonio Conte’s men once again and reckons in Eden Hazard they have the best player in the Premier League.
Herrera added: “It’s the final game of the season, we are playing against a top team and one that is used to winning trophies as well.
“Eden is a very special guy and in my opinion, he’s the best player in the Premier League.
“This is a massive game for us. I think we are going in the right direction. Let’s put everything in perspective.
“Two years ago we were fifth in the league and FA Cup winners (under Louis van Gaal).
“Last season we won three trophies, we were sixth in the league. This season, second in the league and we can win a trophy, the FA Cup.
“So I think we have an obligation to ourselves to do more, but I cannot say we are going backwards. I think we are going up.
“After Sir Alex retired, we’ve had four years of transition and now I think the club is going up with this manager. I really think so.
“This club is about winning titles and reaching finals and if I get picked this will be my fifth final in four years.
“If you talk with other football players, they would like to be in our position.”