Amidst all the high-profile arrivals and major departures, Manchester United are also closing in on extending the contract of their Spanish midfield Ander Herrera. The 27-year-old is fast approaching the last year of his contract and with strong interest from Barcelona, the Red Devils are extremely wary of one of their most consistent performers last season.
As per reports, United have offered him a new four-year contract, which would see him earn £200,000-a-week. The deal is expected to double his current wage and United think it would be more than enough to waive off interest from Barcelona.
Manchester United have been searching for a perfect partner for Paul Pogba since last winter when it became crystal clear that the towering Frenchman wouldn’t be solely sufficient to produce threats from deep midfield. And the likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Radja Nainggolan and even Nemanja Matic have been continuously linked with a move to United since then.
However, Herrera still remains one of the most important pieces of the puzzle in United’s three-man midfield. The Spaniard had hogged all the limelight with his brilliant display against title-winners Chelsea, where he kept Eden Hazard at the shore while providing a sublime assist for the only goal of the game.
United had brought in Herrera from La Liga side Athletic Bilbao back in 2014. The academy product of RZ Deportivo Aragón had only played for Real Zaragoza and Bilbao till then. Coming in at United during the difficult transition stage, he showed his class by putting in some consistent displays under the changing managers.
He has been almost a regular in their deep midfield scoring 15 goals and assisting 22 times in all competitions. Not the most attacking-minded player, Herrera gets into the thick of every move. Given his phenomenal attributes of reading the game and interceptions, he has been an ideal partner for Pogba.
Though Michael Carrick has extended a year with the side, Herrera is said to be his ultimate successor. His brilliant eye for the key pass blended with strong defending makes him an unlikely but strong choice for Mourinho, who prefers big frames in the centre of the park. United cannot afford to lose him at any rate, hence when Barcelona reportedly came calling, they were cautious.
It was also reported that the player is open to a move to Nou Camp if the Catalans come calling, and given the likes of Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are approaching the dusk of their career, it is a possibility.
