5 reasons why Ander Herrera should play as Manchester United's number 10

New season, new signings – same old problems for Manchester United. There is a lack of urgency, slow and predictable build-up, cautious passing and lack of pace upfront. It has become completely understandable why a stadium that is so used to witnessing one of the most attractive styles of football is filled with the relentless screams of “Attack!”So where is it all going wrong for Louis van Gaal again? It is true that they have had a decent start snatching 7 points out of the possible 9. But that doesn’t paint the entire picture. The fact that they have managed to score just two goals in three games is worrying. With the gaffer being adamant that the out of sorts Wayne Rooney will continue to take up the mantle of lead striker for the remaining matches, it is only logical to assume that certain tactical tweaks are urgently required at other positions to bring the attack back to life again.Ander Herrera, last summer’s arrival, was hailed by many to be the successor to Paul Scholes. It is a huge burden on any new player if he is expected to emulate and fill in the voids of the ginger genius who was arguably one of the best central midfielders of the Premier League era. But it is quite unfair to dismiss Herrera as a failure as he simply hasn’t had the chance to shine. He has been in and out of the eleven, substituted on and substituted off. Herrera is a central midfielder by trade. However, the arrivals of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger to give company to the dependable Micheal Carrick means his chances of starting as a central midfielder for the team are slim, if not completely over. Herrera, in my opinion, has the skill set to play as a central attacking midfielder, the number 10 role, and here is why.

#1 Herrera\'s energy and dynamism

Ander Herrera has been in and out of the starting XI at Manchester United

Herrera is a dynamic midfielder full of energy who always likes to attack and chase the ball like an enthusiastic kid. His audacious passing is something that goes against the flow of a cautious possession based football that Van Gaal implements. His philosophy demands that his central midfielders carefully rotate possession and try nothing adventurous. That explains why he plays defensively adept players like Schweinsteiger, Carrick and Schneiderlin in midfield.

But Herrera thrives for that free role where he can afford to make a misplaced pass without any defensive implications; a role where he can run around, chase the ball and try his luck on goal. He may not be gifted with blistering pace, but his quick movements and passing can disrupt opposition defences if he manages to play in an advanced position.

His energetic dashes and keen tackles to win the ball back can keep opposition centre-backs on their toes. As per Squawka, Herrera had an impressive 76.5% successive take-ons rate last season. Combine it with his ball-winning abilities and he can make a huge impact in the final third.

#2 His eye for a goal and a killer pass

Herrera had six goals and four assists in the Premier League last season

Herrera was compared to Scholes not just for his ability to pick a teammate with a killer pass but also for his willingness and confidence to shoot and score goals. The brilliant goal Herrera scored against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup last season is an example of his ability when he perfectly controlled the ball, turned and blasted an unstoppable volley.

His best game last season came in the home match against Aston Villa when he scored a brace. Though he played as a central midfielder, it is important to note that the unadventurous Villans gave Herrera the chance to roam in advanced positions making it easy for him to play his natural game.

With Memphis Depay trying to settle into the left wing role, he needs someone who can feed the ball to open spaces and bring him into the game. With an immaculate vision to find free spaces, he had a fine last season at Athletic Bilbao as he helped them to a Champions League spot. Interestingly, only Cesc Fabregas gave more through balls than him that season.

Memphis plays as an inverted winger and consistently attempts to make good off-the-ball movements. If he has the company of an intelligent playmaker who can find him in space, he will start scoring.

#3 Defensive awareness

Herrera is not averse to making tackles if required

Having played as a central midfielder, Herrera needs no extra lessons in the defence department. He is not shy of going for a lunging tackle or attempting a neat clearance. His main defensive quality, however, is his ball-winning ability.

Always brimming with energy on the field, Herrera can steal the ball off the opponent’s feet and effortlessly find his teammate. Anybody who keenly observed him last season would have noticed him doing this time and time again.

Parallels can be drawn between Herrera and Chelsea’s central attacking midfielder Oscar. The enviable defensive compactness of Jose Mourinho’s system has to a big extent been down to the willingness of his attacking midfielders Oscar and Willian to contribute to the defence. In Herrera, Manchester United has a player in the same mould who has the work ethic, creativity and flair to do for the team what Oscar, week in week out, does for Chelsea.

With Van Gaal also seemingly more comfortable with a pragmatic system of defensive rigidity, it will only be fair to give Herrera an upper hand over the currently preferred Adnan Januzaj.

#4 Understanding with Juan Mata

Ander Herrera Juan Mata – Spanish Delight?

Juan Mata and Ander Herrera had a telepathic understanding on the pitch last season and the partnership was instrumental in the fine winning run over Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester City towards the end of last season. In the 4-3-3 formation used by Van Gaal, Herrera and Mata combined perfectly and created havoc through the right wing.

In the away match against Liverpool, the sheer fluidity of the exchanges between Mata and Herrera totally outwitted Brendan Rodger’s side as Mata scored a brace with one goal coming from a fine defence-splitting pass from Herrera.

However, Mata is not your typical right winger. He won’t make those quick touchline hugging runs. He instead cuts in and tries to connect with the other forwards. This predictability of Mata’s game needs to be complemented by a mercurial midfielder playing aside.

Januzaj has so far failed to support Mata and the Spaniard has found himself isolated. With Manchester United missing out on Pedro, it is possible that Van Gaal may have to rely completely upon Mata. If not given support, Mata can turn out to be a weak link. Nobody in the team can bring out the best in Mata than his compatriot Herrera.

The video shows how Mata and Herrera combined when played side by side.

#5 Because Paul Scholes admires him

Paul Scholes saw Herrera as a great addition to the Manchester United squad

Paul Scholes is hard to please and many a time lashed out at Van Gaal for his pragmatic football. He even said Wayne Rooney is no longer an influential centre forward and criticised Phil Jones for lacking the tactical awareness to play as a centre back.

But when it came to Herrera, he was all praise.

“I think it was difficult for all the signings at first. The first six, seven, eight months was probably very difficult. I think you'd have to say now that Herrera's been the one who's impressed me most.

“He's another one that did struggle to get in the team early on, but now he's playing really well, playing really good football, looks like he's going to score goals, looks like he's going to make goals. He's been a great addition and he's only a young lad as well so hopefully he can get even better." the former English midfielder was quoted as saying.

So there you go, Louis. The architect of United’s dominance of the Ferguson era openly declared his affection for your benchwarmer. It might be time to give the lad a chance again.