Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has spoken out in support of captain Bruno Fernandes.
Herrera United career
The Spaniard joined the Red Devils in 2014 from Athletic Club.
He spent five years at the club, leaving as a free agent in 2019 after refusing to negotiate a new deal.
The midfielder played 189 times for the club, scoring 20 goals in all competitions.
Herrera would spend his later years at Paris Saint-Germain before returning to his former sides, Athletic Club and Real Zaragoza.
Bruno defence
Fernandes was in stunning form last year, winning a glut of personal awards including the Premier League Player of the Season.
He also broke the league’s assist record with 21.
Fernandes started the season with a hat-trick against Ipswich Town in August but has so far largely failed to live up to his high standards, much like the team as a whole this season.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand presents, Herrera spoke up for the Manchester United star.
He explained, “for me, he’s a leader. He has had Manchester United on his back a lot of years, a lot of seasons. Sometimes playing, I’m not going to say alone, but carrying the history of the club on his shoulders.”
Continuing his defence of the player, he said, “in difficult times he was there, always putting his face there, asking for the ball, scoring goals, assisting. After defeats, going to the media to talk. I have huge respect for him, for what he has done for the club. And he could have left the club and he’s still there, putting his face in difficult moments and he deserves credit. A lot of credit. How can Bruno be the problem? He has been a solution a lot of times.”
Michael Carrick backing
Herrera also threw his weight behind under-fire manager Michael Carrick.
He said, “I think we have to give time to the coaches, to the managers, to build something, to create something. And I think Carrick is the man. I want him to be the man, but I also believe he is the man to bring trophies to the club. I don’t know if he will win the Premier League in two or three years, but he is going to be there. He’s going to be competing. I’m sure of that.”
The Spanish midfielder also revealed that the club’s treatment of him towards the end of his deal broke his heart. He insisted that after three years he was delighted at the club and would have loved to stay.
Nonetheless, he explained, “I remember what killed me is when they sent me that letter saying we are going to renew automatically your fifth season at the club. They didn’t even call me to say, ‘Ander, we want you to stay’. They sent me a letter. When I received that letter I thought, ‘I’m done’. My heart was already a little bit broken.”
| Season | Player | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | Ander Herrera | 31 | 8 |
| 2015/16 | Ander Herrera | 41 | 5 |
| 2016/17 | Ander Herrera | 50 | 2 |
| 2017/18 | Ander Herrera | 39 | 2 |
| 2018/19 | Ander Herrera | 28 | 3 |
| 2014/15-2018/19 total | Ander Herrera | 189 | 20 |
Featured image by Julian Finney via Getty Images
