There was the usual moaning and groaning when Ander Herrera was once again left out of the Manchester United starting line-up against Burnley on Wednesday night.
Herrera still hasn’t started a Premier League game since the beginning of December but an unfortunate injury to Daley Blind did him no harm.
The popular Spaniard got to play the best part of an hour and really helped United take hold of the game alongside Wayne Rooney in midfield. His neat passing was evident and as he did at the start of the season, helped improve the pace of United’s play.
He’ll at least hope it buys him a start against Preston on Monday night and fans were overjoyed to see Herrera play so well in front of his manager.
Also thought Ander Herrera showed why he should be playing more. Keeps the ball rolling, moves into space, opens space, keeps things flowing
— Jonas Giæver (@CheGiaevara) February 11, 2015
Herrera proving again tonight why he should be starting every week, we started to play so much better when he came on.
— Amy (@Amy_WatsonMUFC) February 11, 2015
Don't think there are too many better ways to show your manager you should be playing every week than what Ander Herrera did tonight.
— Chris Winterburn (@Chriswin4) February 11, 2015
Amazing how much better we looked when we had actual wide players and Herrera being on the pitch.
— Buscapé (@AliquaScripto) February 11, 2015
Hey look guys we played better when Herrera came on. Who would've thought?
— Nicole (@NickiDupre) February 11, 2015
Herrera's passing is something else. He HAS to become a regular int his team.
— Preben Walle (@Ohpebbles) February 11, 2015
Upon his arrival, Herrera scored goals against QPR and Leicester but appears to have been the fall guy as Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick hit form before Christmas.
But his recent exclusion so Wayne Rooney can play in midfield has baffled supporters and they’ll hope his performance has shown their new boss what Herrera can do.