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Manchester United Make Ander Herrera Their First Official Signing: But Will He Fit in?

Yesterday was a hectic day, with a bid for the player rejected in the morning and then to have him in Manchester signed, sealed and delivered in the afternoon.

Spanish paper Marca and the Guardian report that Manchester United have signed Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera, after the midfielder bought himself out of his contract.

The Basques were once again proving unwilling to negotiate the price of one of their star players, after rejecting United’s bid, until the 24 year-old paid the club compensation to allow him to leave.

This first signing seems to have kicked United’s transfer plans into high gear, as a second signing is about to following with Luke Shaw scheduled to have a medical today.

So with Herrera a United player, there are a few questions that need answers. How will he adjust to the Premier League and where does he fit in Louis van Gaal’s plans?

As for the adjusting part, Herrera will be joining two fellow Spaniards at Old Trafford, with whom he won the UEFA European U-21 Championships in 2011, Juan Mata and David De Gea.

The two were believed to be involved in convincing the midfielder to leave his hometown club. As it is for most foreign players it will take him a while to get used to the physicality of English football.

The more difficult question is where he will play.

Having seen plenty of Herrera in La Liga and in European competition, I personally think his best position in the role he played at Bilbao, the number 10 role. Which causes a problem.

Wayne Rooney currently operates in that role and that is unlikely to change. Herrera can play as one of the controlling midfielders behind Rooney in the 4-3-3 but it isn’t his best position.

Herrera is best between the lines, picking passing and finding the striker in-front of him and the wingers bombing down the line beside him.

He is a great signing but to spend £28.5 million on a player who most likely won’t be in his best position is somewhat interesting. But we will have to wait and see.

Written by Jamie Ireland

2 Comments

  1. I think you've gotten Herrera wrong. While he is quite good as a no. 10 (he played a good part of last season there), he really shines as part of a two man midfield, behind a creator in a 4231 or as a support role in a 433. He has legs. He has lungs. And while he is no Roy Keane, he never lets go. He also has a great pass that can be used from deeper in the field, essentially making him a good deep lying playmaker.

    Compared to Kroos (who isn't the most dependable defensively) or Cesc (who has turned into a true no. 10), Herrera can fulfill the B2B role better (though he needs good players ahead of him).

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