Herrera prepared to ‘hug’ Woodward in strong Man Utd defence
Ander Herrera reckons Man Utd are “going forwards” this season despite the club receiving criticism over their summer business.
The Red Devils have been criticised for their summer transfer business after failing to bring in number one target Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
The disappointment at their summer signings and their mixed start to the season saw some early criticism of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward,
MEDIAWATCH: Solskjaer so ‘plucky’ for dropping injured footballers
However, former Man Utd man Herrera thinks they are progressing and not regressing as a club in a strong defence of his former side.
Herrera told reporters on Monday: “Not easy to compare with the time Sir Alex Ferguson was there. No fair with players with players or managers. They are progressing. They have signed the right players. I don’t think they are going backwards. They are going forwards.”
Strong defence of @ManUtd by Ander Herrera: “Not easy to compare with the time SAF was there. No fair with players with players or managers. They are progressing. They have signed the right players. I don’t think they are going backwards. They are going forwards.”
— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) October 19, 2020
Herrera joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent upon the expiration of his Man Utd contract last summer, reportedly feeling ‘disrespected’ at the offer of a pay cut to stay at Old Trafford.
The midfielder previously cited “differences” between himself and the club, as well as a failure in communication, as the key reasons behind his departure.
However, Herrera has no ill feeling towards the club and will give Woodward a “hug” next time he sees him.
“My intention was not to leave the club and I was happy there- as happy as I am now here,” Herrera told the Daily Telegraph.
“It was not a secret. I was negotiating for more than one year but I expected more from the board after my third season at the club when I was player of the year. They didn’t come to me that summer; they didn’t even call me. And that was very painful for me because I had a feeling that I was giving everything.
“In saying that I have a huge respect for [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward, a huge respect for the board. They have always treated me fantastically. I know they want the best for Manchester United but in football, in life and in every company in the world sometimes you don’t think the same way and I respect that.
“If I see Ed I will give him a hug. We just had different opinions about Manchester United and, in my opinion, what the club should have done.
“I want to make sure everyone understands there is nothing personal at all. That’s life. But it’s true – after the third season when I was player of the year, when I had the respect and the love from the fans, I didn’t feel that love from the club.”