Make no mistake, Manchester United are gunning for glory on all fronts next season. With the news that Nemanja Matic could be on his way to Old Trafford, the Red Devils have already done good business in recruiting a Premier League winner – and with the likes of Ander Herrera already in their ranks, the Europa League winners look good value to achieve a spectacular football campaign, even at this very early stage.
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Herrera, a Spanish international, will be eager for an excellent display throughout the 2017/18 season with the World Cup approaching – so what can he do for United to ensure he becomes a legend and nails down a regular starting place with so many stars in the squad?
#1 Needs to win bigger trophies
Becoming a Manchester United legend is not something that happens overnight. It takes years of toil, effort and expertly utilised skill to truly win over the Stretford End faithful – but Herrera can build on his rapport with the fans and bring it to the next level.
Having essentially helped United to a treble last season – winning the Community Shield, League Cup and Europa League – Herrera needs to make the next step up and help Jose Mourinho claim the league title and the UEFA Champions League.
They are already well placed to challenge on those two fronts, but although talk often centres on the likes of Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and David de Gea, it is Ander Herrera who can come to the fore and be a game-changing sensation.
If he does that, he can move one step closer to immortalising himself alongside some of the legends who have come before him.
#2 Chip in with more goals
All the most memorable United midfield stars who have etched themselves permanently into the red half of Manchester folklore score goals regularly.
Herrera needs to start scoring more if he is to join them.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic gone, there will be greater pressure and expectancy than ever before for a wider spread of goal from the team. Marcus Rashford and incoming strikers will be the obvious first choice, but Herrera will need to chip in, too.
Converting a few from long-range would be a great way to get a packed-out Old Trafford rocking, especially during a Manchester derby or on a big European night.
He didn’t score that many goals last season – one in the league and another in the League Cup. Clearly, he needs to work on his shooting and improve his accuracy from long range. It could be the difference between creating some unforgettable memories and some memories he’d rather forget.
#3 More assists needed
Manchester United have always been a happy hunting ground for creative midfielders and there were plenty of signs last season that Herrera could add his name to the star-studded list – but he hasn’t quite reached that level just yet. Offering just six league assists last term, Herrera couldn’t quite provide the sort of service many expected him to.
Although playing in a withdrawn role, often playing as a central or defensive midfielder means that he isn’t as advanced as others. It’s also fair to suggest that he could still provide the sort of medium-distance through balls for the pacey Rashford, for example, to run onto from deep.
It will be interesting to see how Mourinho shapes his formation next season. Herrera is versatile enough to play closer to goal, something that the introduction of Matic may well force through.
If that happens, we could well see Herrera’s creative spark light the fuse for an explosive season around the 18-yard-box.
#4 Captaincy could see him blossom
There have been calls in recent weeks and months for a new United captain to be announced – and Herrera, for many, would suit the role perfectly. Wayne Rooney is set to leave the club this summer unless he is prepared to accept a bit-part role, and that would open up the captaincy for others.
Herrera had earlier voiced his disinterest in the captaincy a few months back, but it will be interesting to hear what he might make of the offer, especially if a bumper bonus deal was added to his current contract. The Spain international is obviously one of Mourinho’s favourite players at the club, having made half a century of appearances last season alone in all competitions, which means that he would stand a good chance of becoming captain, or vice-captain at the least.
He has shown leadership with his fighting spirit and having apparently snubbed Barcelona he obviously sees his future in England, long term. That’s the sort of loyalty that makes a stand-out captain, and it could be the making of him.
#5 Shake off inconsistency
Having won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award last season, Herrera is obviously well liked by the fans. However, he needs to show more – and produce greater consistency if he is to truly become the best version of himself.
It might not have summed him up, but his two performances against Chelsea, in the second half of the season, a month apart, told us a great deal about Herrera.
The villain of the piece as United were knocked out of the FA Cup 1-0 by Chelsea, he was the Man of The Match over 30 days later as he was omnipotent – shutting down Chelsea’s attacks as well as laying on an assist for Rashford.
United will need more from him with increased regularity next season – and against better opponents in the UEFA Champions League.
He loves a fight, after all, so the start of a new season, and with renewed expectancy from the fans, could well be the heavyweight card he needs to motivate him to come out swinging.
