Why Herrera is now the first name on Manchester United's teamsheet

On the back of Manchester United’s entertaining 3-2 EFL Cup final win over Southampton at the weekend, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was once again hogging the limelight as Ibrahimovic often does. The 35-year-old thrives off the spotlight and routinely lives up to the billing, particularly in the big games. He headed in a late winner to secure Jose Mourinho’s first trophy as Manchester United manager and did so again at Wembley to land his second. With his first half strike sending supporters into delirium, though, there was a moment that helped endear Ander Herrera further to supporters, if that was even possible. 

Rather than celebrate with his teammates, the Spaniard instead ran over to Mourinho to receive instructions from his manager. While Herrera is very much a fan favourite at Old Trafford, outside the Manchester bubble, there is reason to believe the 27-year-old is an unsung hero, with N’Golo Kante and Idrissa Gueye the stand out ball winning performers in the Premier League. The duo deserve their plaudits, of that there is no doubt, but their impact overshadows Herrera, whose role has at long last been defined with Mourinho at the helm. 

Under Louis van Gaal, Herrera was very much the apple of supporters’ eye, yet the Dutchman’s inconsistent use of the Spain international meant he struggled for consistency in the United midfield. That’s all changed with Mourinho at the helm and the club are reaping the rewards. Only Paul Pogba (7.75) and Ibrahimovic (7.52) have gained a better WhoScored rating than Herrera (7.44) of all United players in the Premier League this season, while that return is his best in a league campaign to date. 

“I am so happy to be a bit more of a defensive player than last season. I can share my energy with the team in that position. He has been great for me, but not just for me, but the team as well,” Herrera said last month of Mourinho. Having been acquired as a box-to-box player from Athletic Club, the midfielder has been very much transformed into a defensive performer under the 54-year-old. Utilising his tenacity both on and off the ball, Herrara is able to break up play with consummate ease in order to ease pressure on the United defence. 

Unsurprisingly, he places top for tackles (3) and interceptions per game (3) of all United players in the Premier League this season, while 17 tackles and interceptions combined in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool back in October is currently the best return in England’s top tier this term. This speaks volumes, with Herrera able to manage a high pressure situation appropriately, while ensuring Liverpool, who were scoring relatively freely at the time, failed to force a way past the United backline. The WhoScored rating earned in that game (9.70) is his second best in a Premier League game in his career, signifying how influential he was in United earning a positive result at Anfield that evening. 

His change in role has profitted those around him, with the more attack-minded personnel at Mourinho’s disposal able to express themselves in the final third. In Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, Mourinho is able to call on three speedy wideman to help hurt opponents, while Juan Mata is then capable of utilising his guile without needing to concern himself with the defensive responsibilities. Pogba, though, is the primary beneficiary from Herrera’s redeployment in the XI. Early on, the world record signing was unable to stamp his authority in game’s as he was relied to carry out the defensive duties, thus hindering his impact. 

However, since Mourinho’s decision to change set up to a 4-3-3 formation, with Herrera and Michael Carrick sitting deeper, Pogba is given license to break forward and support the attack, with he and Ibrahimovic forming a destructive partnership in the final third. That’s not to say, though, that Herrera is now exclusively a holding midfielder, particularly when Carrick is used at the base of the midfield. On Sunday, he proved his willingness to break forward and support the attack, as his excellent assist for Ibrahimovic’s winner at Wembley highlighted. 

Indeed, 1.4 key passes and 1.1 dribbles per game are respectable returns for Herrera, who is also more than capable of successfully retaining possession where required. The Spaniard averages more passes per game (74.6) than any other United player with an 88.1% success rate. It’s clear Herrera is developing his game accordingly to know when to lay the ball on for a teammate and when to break forward and support the attack. 

While he struggled to nail down a regular starting spot with confusion over his best role in the side following his arrival, Mourinho has moulded Herrera into a more defensive midfielder and the club are all the better for it, with the player now one of the first names on the teamsheet. If United are to enjoy further success in the coming months, coupled with a top-4 finish, then Herrera’s defensive influence will be vital in the quest for domestic and continental glory.