Pleased that Ander's getting mostly positive wishes; the salty ones calling him a money-grabber etc. are pathetic.
If we'd offered him say £130-£150K a year earlier, I guarantee he'd have signed. I think it was the lackadaisical attitude towards renewing his contract and subsequent feeling of not being valued that's led to his departure.
Secondly, even though £200K is certainly too steep for a player with his limitations (though he's still been a good signing), those accusing him of chasing the money should take into account that the fact he didn't quibble with £70K for years is impressive when you compare his salary to others in the squad - so many players with far less ability are on far more money:
- Phil Jones is on £120K for God's sake, and he's a terrible footballer who's also always injured.
- Martial, a perennial sulker who delivers once every 10 matches and doesn't give a solitary shit is on £250K.
- Juan Mata, who I love as a human being but is pretty much on a par with Herrera in terms of his contribution is on £140K.
- Matic has been largely shocking for us and is on £120K.
- Ashley Young is on £110K. Ashley Young. Let that sink in for a moment.
- Jesse "I don't score or assist" Lingard is on £100K.
Being paid significantly less than these wasters must have pissed Ander off no end and contributed towards his excessive demands.
Lastly, here's a question to those criticising Herrera - if you were a Spanish born player who didn't grow up as a United fan, would you really turn down this offer from PSG, even if you grew to love United?
He's getting a £130K pay rise, guaranteed league titles for the next few years, and guaranteed CL knockout football. It's petulant to expect every United player to hold the same undying loyalty to the club that you do as a supporter. If you were offered a new job that trebled your salary, no one would criticise accepting this, even if you had an affinity with your current company.