Herrera: Cantona Was My Idol

Ander Herrera admits Eric Cantona was one of his childhood heroes while growing up in Spain and the 24-year-old now hopes to emulate the Manchester United legend during his own Reds career.

Herrera joined United from Athletic Club in June and is currently taking part in this summer’s pre-season tour of the US, where he sat down with MUTV to recall his early years at former club Real Zaragoza and the players he looked up to while living in Spain.

“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,” Ander explained. “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. I wish, one day, I could be similar to him."

Expanding on his love for Cantona, Herrera continued: “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 Man 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 own character for United.”

Herrera has forged a reputation as one of the most promising playmakers in European football, having excelled in the centre of midfield for both Real Zaragoza and Athletic Club while playing in La Liga. But when quizzed on where he likes to operate, the Spaniard was keen to emphasise his versatility in the final third.

“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.

“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.”