In Manchester United’s last game, at home to West Ham, the fans took time to show their appreciation for new boy Ander Herrera. If the Spaniard has a blinding season he will hopefully enjoy a more creative chant than the preliminary ‘Ander He-rre-ra’ one which rippled around Old Trafford on Saturday.
With news of his fractured rib we are left to consider his importance to the side and, despite some positive contributions so far – not least two goals and an assist in 6 games – soccersweep still has reservations about the player.
He started preseason like a train and looked as if he could be the creator-in-chief that Manchester United have lacked since Paul Scholes ended his career.
And Herrera has already managed two more goals for Manchester Untied than last season’s big midfield capture, Marouane Fellaini, did in his entire debut campaign.
But, for a player who has been signed to keep possession and use the ball creatively, Herrera has given the ball away cheaply on a worrying number of occasions. A pass completion average of 89% this season sounds good but there are still way too many unforced errors.
He reminds us a little of Nani. Not in terms of playing style but the fact that he can orchestrate a masterful move one minute but then pass the ball straight to an opposition player the next. We have been left in some games wondering whether he simply cancels himself out with as many negative interventions as positive ones.
Herrera is only just beginning his career at Manchester United and, like most players, will require a settling in period. But he does need to improve. Perhaps he’s not best suited to the right side of the diamond. There, his ability to thread balls through the defence is more limited and he is expected to do a lot of defensive work. While he is clearly a hard working player, who doesn’t mind getting stuck in, he too often follows a good bit of work with a poor piece of play.
There are certainly signs of potential in his game. But, for a footballer in his mid-twenties and a price tag almost touching £30m, you expect to see a player who can change games on a regular basis. We feel that Herrera still has an awful lot to prove if he is to become a true star of the midfield fro Manchester United and Spain.
Manchester United fans: have you been convinced by Herrera?
