Herrera In Awe Of United's US Support

Ander Herrera says playing in front of a record-breaking crowd on tour three years ago made him realise the importance of Manchester United to supporters in the United States.

The Spanish midfielder was in the team which beat Real Madrid 3-1 in August 2014, with 109,318 fans watching at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. It was the highest-ever attendance for a soccer match in the country and red shirts in the stands greatly outnumbered the white ones of the opposition supporters.

The two sides will meet each other again in America next month and Herrera is looking forward to it, as well as the other six fixtures on United's Tour 2017, presented by Aon. 

"I remember playing in America a few years ago against Real Madrid, in front of nearly 110,000 people, and 80 per cent of them were Reds!" he told ManUtd.com, shortly before going on his summer holiday.

"That shows how important United are over there, so I’m really happy and excited to be able to play for our fans over there again."

As well as taking on Real, the Reds will also face Barcelona, Manchester City and two Major League Soccer sides, LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, during the stay in the US, before further friendlies in Norway against Valerenga and in Dublin against Sampdoria.

Herrera says the tour games will allow the players to prepare well for the new season with the main focus on being ready for the Premier League's opening weekend of 12 and 13 August.

"We're looking forward to the pre-season tour, and some big games," added United's Player of the Year for 2016/17. "I know they are only friendlies, but everyone is excited to play. The most important thing is to be prepared for the first official games of the new season, of course, but it will be nice to go over to America."