Herrera: No Excuses On Sunday

Ander Herrera accepts playing Europa League football away from home on Thursday night is not ideal preparation for Sunday's Premier League test at Watford but the midfielder thinks Manchester United will be up to the challenge at Vicarage Road.

The 12:00 BST kick-off presents Jose Mourinho's men with a chance to issue a response to the back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Feyenoord. And even at this very early stage of the league season, it is important for United to keep touch with the Blues, who entertain Bournemouth on Saturday.

"In terms of recovery, it's not the best way, we all know that," he said of this week's schedule. "But, as I've told you before, we have a big squad. All the players in the squad want to show that we are here to help the team. It is not the best situation about the time between two games but this is football and we have to forget excuses, play and try to do our best.

"Watford, last season, were a very organised team, very tough to beat, and now they keep almost the same players. Maybe two or three changes but the rest are the same so it's going to be tough. Overall, if you are playing away in the Premier League you know there is no easy game. We won at Watford in the last minute last season. Hopefully, this Sunday, we can do it sooner. We want to win but it will be very, very hard.

"I don't know he [Quique Sanchez-Flores] lost his job," he added on MUTV. "Maybe he wanted to leave, but it's true the Premier League is getting tougher. Every season, every team wants to improve on last season. We want to do it as well so we have to fight for every game."

Herrera has the characteristics of a true United player and is willing to fight all the way to help the club achieve more silverware following last term's FA Cup triumph. He hopes he can force his way into the team on a regular basis and started the Europa League tie in Feyenoord.

"My qualities," he added. "You all know them. I have already played 76 games in this club so you will know them. The only thing I can say is that I am a team player. I am going to be ready when the manager wants me to play. Of course, every player wants to play from the kick-off in every game but, when you play for this club, that's not so easy. I will be ready when the manager wants me to play. 

"That's why I train, that's why I work hard, that's why I take care of myself and I will keep doing the same. I have made mistakes because I am human and I can do that but what I am not going to do is give up, never."