Herrera Excited By FA Cup Introduction

Ander Herrera is eagerly anticipating the very English experience of an FA Cup third-round tie against Yeovil Town in a little over a fortnight after the League One club defeated Accrington Stanley in Tuesday's second-round replay on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old from the Basque region has made a bright impression in England with his all-round midfield qualities as a passer, tackler and goalscorer. But even more than the hustle and bustle of the Barclays Premier League, the FA Cup represents many of the traditions of the game in this country that Herrera is keen to experience having followed it from afar during his time in La Liga.

"It's different to the Spanish Cup because it's more about the knockout situation," Ander explains in the latest issue of Inside United, on sale now.

"In Spain we play two legs in the Cup, so I think it’s good that it can be down to just one game here, it makes it very emotional. So I like the FA Cup and when I was in Spain I always watched it.

"It's a very interesting competition. Every team has a chance to win it, which is good. I want to play in this competition and it’s a big chance for us to win a cup.

"I think all the supporters can feel that excitement and some nerves for the game on the day. It's a very important competition. Last season Arsenal won it and this season we want to be in the final."

Herrera has been made aware of the cup’s significance in United’s history – most notably as record holders – through the evocative imagery and informative hallways at the Aon Training Complex.

"I have seen on the walls at the training ground how many times we have won the FA Cup. Manchester United has won it more times than anyone, just like the league. It’s an important competition for United but all the competitions are important for the club because we always want to win everything."

Yeovil away will be Herrera's first step in the competition full stop and United's first of the season as the Reds set out on the path to Wembley in May. But Ander isn’t getting too far ahead of himself as he prepares for next month’s trip to Huish Park on Sunday 4 January (KO 15:30 GMT).

"It would be fantastic [to play at Wembley] but we have to be humble for the moment because we have to win a lot of games to get there. But I think we have the qualities to be in the final."