Via Manchester United
Ander Herrera speaks of his childhood love of Real Zaragoza, why Eric Cantona is one of his idols and how he intends to make his mark on Manchester United
What are your first memories of playing football as a
child?I have always loved football and now it is my work. I began
at Real Zaragoza when I was 10 or 11 years old. Real Zaragoza was my first team
and they will always have a place in my heart. I remember my first years at Real
Zaragoza and I will always appreciate what they did for me because they helped
me to get here. After I arrived at Bilbao when I was 21 years old, I stayed
there for three years and that is another important club for me because my
family is from Bilbao and I am from Bilbao. Now I am with Man United, maybe the
biggest club in the world, and it is a dream for me. I am looking forward to
this season and I wish I could be an important player for Man United.What was so special about your time at Real Zaragoza?I arrived to the city of Zaragoza when I was four years old. My dad worked for the club, it is my childhood team and Real Zaragoza will always have a place in my heart.
Who was your favourite team when you were younger?It just was Real Zaragoza. Of course, you see the Spanish national team, Man United, Real Madrid and Barcelona. These are three of the biggest clubs in the world but my team was Real Zaragoza. I have never been with another club.
Which players did you enjoy watching?You always see the best players in the world and I always watched Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane and, while he was at Real Zaragoza, Gustavo Poyet, who is now the Sunderland coach. Now, maybe my mirror is Andres Iniesta, not only for football and what he does on the pitch but also because he is a good person and a humble player. I wish, one day, I can be similar to him.
What was it about Cantona you liked?I liked his character, he was a winner and always worked hard,
he never lost one ball and was always thinking about the victory. This group of players [at United] has those same characteristics. We always want to win, we want to play well for the United supporters and Eric Cantona had those characteristics. Of course, he had personality too. But it was not only Cantona who had personality; Ryan Giggs as well, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. United do not only sign good players, but workers as well. United sign people who work hard, train hard and who are good professionals. It is a dream for me to be here because this history is very big and now I have the chance to play here. I have the possibility to show my character for the club.
Have you always played in midfield?Yes, I have always played in midfield. Sometimes with Ernesto Valverde, who was my last coach, I played on the left or the right, but I think my best place is in midfield. But if Louis van Gaal in one moment wants another thing then I can play wherever he wants.
What is your preferred position in midfield?I think I can play better as an attacking midfielder but I can defend as well. If we defend together, if we are a compact team, then we will win the games. If we run, if we work like a humble team then we will play like the biggest team.
Finally, when did you start learning English?At school but I don't care if I make mistakes. I like speaking English,
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