Leading by example
Herrera says Rooney is behind United’s amazing run this season
LONDON: Ander Herrera reckons skipper Wayne Rooney has been the inspiration behind Manchester United’s amazing resurrection this season.
United’s worst ten-game start to a season in 28 years has given way to a charge to pip neighbours City and old rivals Arsenal for runners-up spot in the Premier League.
Herrera received a kiss from manager Louis van Gaal for the first of his two goals against Aston Villa on Saturday.
But he believes the real hero of the LVG revolution is the man handed the captain’s armband last summer.
The Spanish star, 25, said: “Wayne is our leader. He is maybe the strongest guy – not only physically but also mentally.
“He is our captain, our leader and our character. He shows very, very well what Manchester United is.”
Herrera has hit seven goals in his 15 starts for United and is now competing with Rooney to be the apple of Van Gaal’s eye.
But the smacker from his boss came as something of a surprise. LVG said: “I told him, ‘You have to control the ball before you shoot’.
“I kissed him at half-time because he had controlled the ball for the first time in his life and then shot!”
Rooney joined United 11 years ago from Everton. Herrera is in his first season since his switch from Athletic Bilbao – but hopes he will be at Old Trafford as long as Rooney has.
He added: “When I signed for Manchester United, I was thinking of players like Michael Carrick, Rooney, Antonio Valencia, Rafael and, although he is not here, Darren Fletcher.
“These are people who have been playing for a long time for United. It’s my dream to be here for a long time because I’m in the right team, in the right league and in the right country.
“I feel very happy and I want to stay at the club for many years to come.”
Herrera was certainly very happy after United’s fifth league win in a row teed them up perfectly for Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Yet Herrera’s United career looked to be a shortlived one earlier this season when he struggled to nail down a first-team spot.
He returned to the starting line up in mid-February and is now one of the key men in United’s resurgence.
“We’re on the right road. We are in a very good moment now. But we always have to be prudent, it is still going to be hard until the end of the season.”