Herrera Likened To Fernandinho

ANDY WILSON

Manchester United midfielder, Ander Herrera, has been likened Fernandinho at Manchester City, with Paul Dickov claiming the Spaniard is the “main man” for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Ander Herrera has been in sparkling form since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stepped in to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho.

The 29-year-old was singled out by fans and pundits alike for his display against Chelsea which helped steer Manchester United into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Former Manchester City star Paul Dickov believes Herrera’s performances have gone under the radar and that the midfielder deserves the recognition Fernandinho often receives.

“I think he is an integral part of what Solskjaer has tried to do since he’s been in there,” Dickov said. “He’s the main man in there and an unsung hero.

“You look at the job Fernandinho does for Man City and Herrera does that as well. He has turned into a real leader.

“I think he has gone under the radar in the last 11 or 12 games since Ole’s been in there.

“The big hitters have been getting all the credit, but he’s a real leader for Ole in there.

“I’m slightly surprised United have waited this long to offer him a new contract.

“They’ve sorted other ones out over the long term and he’s one I think they should have done a little bit sooner.”

Herrera’s contract at Old Trafford is due to expire in the summer but reports have indicated he is close to signing an extension.

Kevin Campbell mirrored the views of Dickov with regards to Fernandinho, adding that Herrera is proving his worth to United.

He said: “Every team has to have a player who does the dirty work and doesn’t really get the headlines but he’s always one of those players you want in your team.

“I think he’s a tough little cookie in there as well, he puts a lot of work in, puts his foot in and we talk about Fernandinho doing that for Man City and Herrera does that a lot for United.

“The flare players get more of the plaudits, but he is someone who is really proving himself right now.”

Campbell also believes that Paul Pogba’s resurgence is down to his midfield partner.

He added: “Under Jose Mourinho, [Herrera] was in and out of the team, he didn’t look himself and now Solskjaer has come in and he’s looking like a player who is a mainstay in that team.

“He sits there and allows Paul Pogba to break forward and express himself and that’s what Man United has needed.

“Everyone has been asking ‘what happened to Pogba?’, but actually, Ander Herrera happened to Pogba. Nemanja Matic is being the old Matic and Pogba is flourishing.”