Herrera: We're Fortunate To Have Falcao

Ander Herrera has hailed the never-say-die attitude of Radamel Falcao and believes his Manchester United team-mate will prove to be a vital part of Louis van Gaal’s squad this season.

With the help of fellow Reds midfielder Anderson, Herrera looked to further raise the great significance of Falcao’s return to training earlier this week by carrying the Colombian onto the pitch at the Aon Training Complex.

Already fully aware of the loan star’s qualities from clashes between Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid, Herrera feels a combination of Falcao’s ability and relentless efforts will ensure a strong impact at Old Trafford will be made by the 28-year-old, who came off the bench in the win over Hull City.

“The fans love Falcao because he fights for every ball like it is the last ball of his life,” the Spaniard told MUTV. “That is one of his best characteristics. We are lucky that Falcao is here and I’m sure he’s going to be a very important player and I think the Manchester United fans know that.

“When a player gets injured it’s a bad moment for them. I know Falcao well. I knew him in Spain, he was fantastic. Atletico Madrid won the Spanish Cup against Real Madrid and he was the most valuable player in the final and we want to see Falcao as soon as possible on the pitch here. Anderson and me tried to make that moment happy for Falcao. We are like a family here – we all want to achieve the same objectives and everyone has to be involved.”

Another man in United’s group that Herrera looked to shower with praise was goalkeeper David De Gea, who, according to his compatriot, could become the finest in his position. On numerous occasions the club’s custodian has safeguarded victories for his side, with an acrobatic stop earlier this season to deny Everton and help seal all three points proving to be one of the most impressive in a growing line of excellent stops made by the Spain international.

“He has been fantastic and is one of the best players in the world at 24 years old,” Herrera said of his countryman and close friend. “He wants to help the team get to the top of the league, like me, like everyone. We feel he can become one of the best if not the best goalkeeper in the world.”

A valuable 2-1 away win at Arsenal last weekend, followed by a convincing 3-0 victory over Hull sees United currently occupying fourth place in the Premier League – a spot Herrera wants the Reds to maintain at the very least for the remainder of the campaign.

“We have to be in the Champions League,” the 25-year-old insisted. “I want to play there next season with United. We want to win every competition we are in and if we are in the competition next season we will want to win it. We all have to work to get there, all the players. If you want to achieve one objective everyone has to work together, not only the 11 players, all the squad has to be involved.”