Herrera Dedicates Win To Injured Friends

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has dedicated the 2-0 win over Burnley on Sunday to injured pair Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo.

Herrera put in a solid, professional performance in the centre of midfield against the Clarets as first-half goals from Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney were enough to give United the three points in a comfortable away trip. He also set up the opener for Martial with a precise pass to the Frenchman.

Prior to the game, the news was confirmed that Ibrahimovic and Rojo both sustained ‘significant knee-ligament damage’ and Herrera insists Sunday’s win was a tribute to the important duo.

"I am happy that we could dedicate this victory to Ibra and Marcos," he said. "They are now having bad moments. Ibrahimovic because he is 35 and has won everything, and played at the highest level for 15 or 16 years, and now it is the first time he gets a really bad injury and so we are really sad for him.

"Marcos was in the best moment of his career. He was very focused on what he was doing. He is my friend as well so I feel really sad for him, but he is very strong and he will be back very strong. We dedicate the victory to them."

Herrera believes that Ibrahimovic's natural physique will aid his recovery, despite his age.

"He is privileged physically. His physique, his body, is one of the best I have ever seen, so I think it will be easier for him to get back than others.

"Of course he is 35, so he will have to work very, very hard and be very patient, but I have no doubt he will be back because he loves football, he loves to win, he loves to score goals.

"He loves to train every day. Every day, he wants to win, every box, every game of football tennis, everything in training, so I have no doubt he will be back. But we have to be, everyone [has to be] supporting them - not only Zlatan, also Marcos because these are really bad moments for them."

Rojo was in the best form of his Reds career before the unfortunate injury against Anderlecht and Herrera believes the Argentinian is one of the best in the world on his day.

"He was in the best moment of his career," added the midfielder. "Really focused. For me, at the moment, he is one of the best centre-backs in the world. It is very difficult to beat him, every duel he won, every tackle he won. He has to know that he can be back as good as he was. He is my friend and I will try to be very, very close to him to support him and help him."

On the win over Burnley itself, the Spaniard admitted the Reds were clinical, pointing towards a high defensive line as a key element to the win.

"We analysed them before the game and they are not easy to play against. They play long balls, they are very aggressive. We tried to play a high line all the time and not allow them to put the ball in the box too much and I think we controlled it," he said.

"We didn't play brilliant football, but we were very clinical and comfortable on the ball. We didn't take stupid risks and we won decisively."

Herrera concluded by reserving special praise for the two goalscorers, as well as Daley Blind and Eric Bailly, who were impressive at the back. The latter pair's performance resulted in the home side failing to muster a shot on target.

"It is very important that not only the strikers who are playing more minutes score, but everyone who plays has to score some goals," he said. "They [Martial and Rooney] did fantastic today. 

"It was the first game Anthony has played as striker this season and he was fantastic. He held the ball up, he gave solutions for the team and scored a fantastic goal.

"It was the same for Daley [Blind] and Eric [Bailly]. Daley has not been playing every game, but he was fantastic today. He is not the tallest, he is not the strongest, but he is one of the smartest I have ever played with. He gives us a lot of things."