I wouldn't swap him for any midfielder in the league right now. He is not going to score any 30 yard screamers or dribble past 4 or 5 players but I don't really see any weaknesses in his game. He keeps the ball, he drives us forward and speeds up the play when everyone is going at a snails pace, he score goals. He can tackle and is great at pressing and closing the opposition down, which I don't think he gets enough credit for. He has quick feet and a good touch and knows when to release the ball and when to keep it. He is a great player and makes us an all round better side.
Ander Herrera is the most complete midfielder in the league
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I think he has the capacity to get even better. Lets not forget that this is his first season in a league which has often been unforgiving for foreigners in their first year, and for him to play as well as he has, and to show improvement almost across the board as the season has gone, tells me we can expect much more next season.
It's not like his limitations (long passing range and tactical awareness) are things which cannot be improved upon either. Indeed, he has already adapted after 6 months to a relatively newer understanding of his position and his performance in the game against Chelsea for example, showed what he can do when given the chance to use his passing range more often, where he was often going both short and long and was predominantly accurate in his use of the ball.
It's not like his limitations (long passing range and tactical awareness) are things which cannot be improved upon either. Indeed, he has already adapted after 6 months to a relatively newer understanding of his position and his performance in the game against Chelsea for example, showed what he can do when given the chance to use his passing range more often, where he was often going both short and long and was predominantly accurate in his use of the ball.
Let's put it this way.
Of all the midfielders in the English prem, Herrera by far is the most attractive to Barcelona, which is why they're already making noise about acquiring him.
I say lock him down with a fresh 5 year contract this summer.
Of all the midfielders in the English prem, Herrera by far is the most attractive to Barcelona, which is why they're already making noise about acquiring him.
I say lock him down with a fresh 5 year contract this summer.
For me...he is the Scholes replacement. Its a matter of who plays with him in midfield.
If he can add some long range passing to his skillset that would take his game to the next level.
Well done by us. Maybe we can give them Herrera + 20m and get a 32 year Modric in return in a couple of years? Let's hope they're that generous.
Herrera swap for De Gea after he makes a mistake and gets booed by the fans.
I fear Barca more than Real. He would suit them and he would prefer Barca too.
Thought he was excellent today.
A thought - would be wonderful to sign a second really top all round midfielder. Gives us the option of playing 2 in CM in a lot of games
A thought - would be wonderful to sign a second really top all round midfielder. Gives us the option of playing 2 in CM in a lot of games
Are they?
Just watched the game - he's so bloody intelligent.
He reads opposition players movements, he knows the runs his team-mates will make, he plays the ball into players' paths (something a lot of players can't seem to manage), he probably intercepts more than he tackles, he times his runs to perfection and he knows when to give away a cynical foul (I almost cheered at his final foul, also because it's what Flamini does all game)
He reads opposition players movements, he knows the runs his team-mates will make, he plays the ball into players' paths (something a lot of players can't seem to manage), he probably intercepts more than he tackles, he times his runs to perfection and he knows when to give away a cynical foul (I almost cheered at his final foul, also because it's what Flamini does all game)
Why are we planning his departure? he's not good enough for Madrid or Barca at present.
I just wanted to go with the flow of this thread and give my input. He is here in the long term, hope he doesnt lie.
Rumour has it Barca are already looking at him
His touch towards the end was amazing. Took it out of the air so well and beat his man with it.
Think his touch and first time pass are exceptional. Better than almost any I have seen in a long while...
Yes until June, when we buy Pogba.
if he was physically more stronger he would be best CM in the league for me..as it is he is def top 5
I suspect he may hit the gym a bit this summer because he's too intelligent not to see the benefits of bulking up, but not too much. He's a buzzy, mobile guy on the pitch and doesn't need to lose that by carrying excess muscle.
Looking forward to him being a mainstay in the team next season. 30+ league games and lots of European/cup action with do him and the team a world of good.
Current favourite player in the squad for me.
He's not the strongest but physicality has never been a problem for him. Aggression and willingness to get dirty is more important and he has plenty of that. Id prefer him to be light on his feet than pack on too much muscle. A bit like Scholesy.
Certainly don't think he's the best midfielder in the league (if that's what you mean by most complete) but I am a big fan and believe he will only get better. I think he has all the tools to be a long time pillar in the United midfield. He creative and daring in attack, aggressive defensively, an excellent finisher. His biggest weakness for me is his propensity to give the ball away in dangerous situations but this is something he can work on. I believe he will continue to improve and for me he's been the best offseason acquisition by a country mile.
Yep hard to argue with that
ITS ANDER YOU KNOOOWWW , HARD TO BELIEVE ITS NOT SCHOLES!!!!
Absolutely love it the way he is calm and cool as ice on the ball even when surrounded by 1 or 2 players. Absolutely dribbles his way out of everything! Has real room to improve in the coming season
One of the things I like best about him is the willingness to stick a foot in, give away the foul and take a card for the team.
He strikes me as a player that isn't out for himself but want to help the team win.
He strikes me as a player that isn't out for himself but want to help the team win.
Loves to see him play, would it more if Mata was at #10. IMO we should build the team around the pair.
He's great at everything except passing. His short passes are decent but his passing range is not good at all, similar to Blind.
Damn
brilliant player. a hybrid of spanish flair/english grit. the best performer amongts our summer 2014 signings without a doubt.
Signing of the season.
Our best signing no doubt. As mentioned above, he doesn't seem to have any major weaknesses and is a great all round midfielder. If I had to be picky I'd say that his pace (or lack of) sometimes let's him down but then again he doesn't seem to rely on it much. Really pleased with him and in today's market, £30m was a bargain.
Was that what the crowd was singing towards the end, or was it just the usual Carrick song?
According to me, the big difference between Herrera being the complete midfielder and a very good one is the way he gives away the ball sometimes in dangerous areas. Improve that aspect, and he'd certainly be the most complete midfielder in the Premier League.
No, the passing is quite limited.
Terrific player, a Red through and through. Will be buying a shirt with his name on it this summer.
Have to say I'm over the moon with his goal tally, he's nearly matched his entire bilbao return in one season. If he can kick on and give us 10+ from midfield every year it goes a long way towards us challenging for pots
It's pointless comparing Herrera with Matic seeing as Matic offers close to nothing in attack. You wanna compare Matic? Compare him with Carrick. For Herrera, you've got to compare him with Toure, Fabregas and Schneiderlin. Toure and Fabregas are the better attackers, but they are so limited defensively, hence why Mourinho has moved Fab forward, and City have been shit this season by playing Toure in a two-man midfield. Schneiderlin's a good all-rounder, but he's just not as good as Herrera as an all-rounder. So, yes, in terms of most complete midfielder, he most certainly is. In terms of most talented, no.
Worth remembering, also, that it's his first season with us and in the PL. He's only going to get better.
Worth remembering, also, that it's his first season with us and in the PL. He's only going to get better.
I don't think Schneiderlin is in the same class as Herrera. He does not have Herrera's vision or dribbling skills. Nor is his one touch football as good as Herrera. He is better than Herrera in breaking up play but that is all he has on him.
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