Fallen giants
Herrera: We’ve the momentum to overcome City
Oh! How the mighty have fallen. Only a few years back you’d expect the Manchester derby to be a title decider. But when Manchester City and Manchester United meet in the English Premier League clash at the Etihad tomorrow, it’s all about fighting to finish in the top four. City have been blowing hot and cold under new coach Pep Guardiola while United haven’t really set the stage ablaze since Jose Mourinho switched camp from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford. Still, it will be interesting to see which Manchester team will have the bragging rights after tomorrow’s derby – and the chance to play in the lucrative Champions League next season.
LONDON: Ander Herrera believes tomorrow’s Manchester derby will be “make or break” for both teams’ chance of finishing in the top four.
But the Spanish midfielder insists the Red Devils have the momentum to overcome their city rivals.
He said: “We have to play Manchester City and that is going to be the game of the season.
“Our win at Burnley on Sunday means we are unbeaten in 23 games in the Premier League and only one point behind City. We know if we win we have a great chance to finish in the top four.
“If they win it is going to be very difficult, that is why it is the game of the season.
“You can probably say it is make or break. “Both teams are strong, so if one of us wins the game we won’t lose a lot of other games after that.
“It is us or them. The result is going to be huge in deciding where we both finish in the table.
“I have not heard about the winnertakesall expression, but I know it is a massive game.
“We are in a very good moment, on a very good run and we respect them but we are doing a lot of good things and we have to show it on Thursday.”
Herrera earned praise for the way he kept Eden Hazard quiet when United beat Chelsea 20 nine days ago, and he will be a key figure again at the Etihad.
He said: “Hazard has been the best player of the season so far. It was not an easy job for me but I think I did it right. Also the team was very compact so that made it easier for me.
“I just want to think about winning on Thursday, then we have the Europa League to look forward to.”
Winning Europe’s secondtier competition is another way they can qualify for the Champions League.
The 27yearold also has a debt to settle.
He was in the Athletic Bilbao side beaten 30 by Atletico Madrid in the 2012 final and says it still hurts.
He said: “The Europa League makes me very excited because I lost the final four years ago – and I want to take that knife from my back! “So hopefully we can fight for that title as well. “But our semifinal opponents Celta Vigo are very good, so we will need to be at our best.” – The Sun, London