CHELSEA ARE A REAL ANDFUL Blues best and worthy of being champions, says Herrera
ANDER HERRERA admits Chelsea deserve to be on course for another title.
The Blues are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League and midfielder Herrera was in the Manchester United team thrashed 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in October.
He said: “The game we deserved to lose clearly was Chelsea, so Chelsea so far has been the best team.
“They’re very compact, very difficult to beat and have been clear in the things they have to do. I think they deserve to be first.”
Herrera, a key figure in United’s 15-game unbeaten run in the league since that drubbing, stopped short of conceding the title to the Londoners.
But he did admit the focus for Jose Mourinho (above) and his men was on securing a top-four place.
They have failed to qualify for the Champions League in two of the last three seasons and Herrera accepts they cannot miss out again.
“We have three competitions to play for, and in the Premier League we have to finish in the top four,” he said.
“We won’t be 100 per cent happy if we’re fourth because we want to finish as high as possible, but minimum, we have to be in the top four. Last season wasn’t our best. We finished fifth, but we won the FA Cup.
“This year we started with the Community Shield. Now it’s time to get more trophies. That’s what this club is about – titles and trophies – and we’re still alive in four competitions.”
Although the 27-year-old understands how important it is to Reds fans to finish above Manchester City and Liverpool, he added: “I think it will be very tough. We believe in our qualities and we can do it, but we have to respect them.
“Liverpool are not playing for another competition, so will be very focused on the league.”
Herrera has fewer than 16 months left on his contract and is keen to discuss new terms, although the club have yet to make a move. “Of course, if they want to talk with me, I will be very happy to do that,” he said.
Ander Herrera was speaking at the unveiling of the TAG Heuer Manchester United Watch Collection, available at the Manchester United Megastore boutique, selected TAG Heuer retailers and online at www.store.manutd.com and www.tagheuer.com.