Ander stays calm on deal
BANTZ KEEPS LUKA STRONG
“Unfortunately, he has had the injuries but his performance e against Arsenal, I think, is a big, big step forward for him.
“We hope it happens, but it comes with the territory. When it comes to Manchester United you have ve to be a big personality.
“You have to be able to handle setbacks and of course handle le doing well, too. Sometimes handling g success is more difficult than handling andling setbacks.
“All the players here, they have that determination to prove their ir worth. Alexis is the same.”
Sanchez has been a huge flop since his arrival from Arsenal in a swap deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan a year ago.
Rows with former boss oss Jose Mourinho, poor performances es and a goal drought left the 30-year-old ear-old “Because when you come in and you are looking around the dressing room and there are so many good players you have to prove your worth and you don’t just live off the price tag.
“I am not interested in what they have cost or what they are earning. What I am interested in is what they can give the team.
“You only y deserve to be in a team by how much you want to give to that team yourself.”
Solskjaer’s startling impact has more ROMELU LUKAKU admits he is fighting for his future against Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez – but they are all pals.
The £75million striker – United’s second most expensive star in history behind Paul Pogba – is battling for game time, with Rashford and Martial now viewed as the first-choice pairing for stand-in boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Lukaku (left) has been on the bench for United’s last four Premier League games and is only starting in the FA Cup.
The 25-year-old played from the start in the 3-1Cup win over Arsenal at the Emirates on Friday and made both United’s opening goals for Sanchez and Jesse Lingard. But although he admits competition is intense he insists it has not damaged friendships.
The Belgian said: “It is tough and intense – but in a good way. It’s all about the team.
“The dressing room is strong. We are a tight-knit group.
“We are friends also off the pitch and we spend time together. We always have a lot of banter.” ANDER HERRERA is hoping his recent performances have convinced
Manchester United he should stay at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old Spaniard is out of contract in June and has been in talks with United about a new deal.
Former club Athletic Bilbao – who sold him for £29million in June 2014 – are one of several La Liga sides who are showing interest if he can’t reach agreement at United.
But after starring in the 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win at Arsenal, fans’ favourite Herrera insists the team comes before his own future.
The midfielder said: “I’m not going to talk about my contract. You have to understand we have more important things than that at the moment.
“My priority is to beat Burnley and then Leicester. And if I deserve a new contract it will come.
“I don’t go crazy thinking about that.
“I’m not a selfish guy. I don’t want to get the attention. I want the team to keep winning games.
“I go game by game and try to give my best. When I am on the pitch I don’t think about it.
“I just try to do my job and make our fans proud. And things will come.”
Herrera is blossoming under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – but he reckons it’s vital United tie down fellow countrymen David De Gea and Juan Mata who are also in contract talks, as well as French striker Anthony Martial.
He added: “It’s important for the club and important for us as a team.
“But every situation is different and I respect what every player wants to do.”