Herrera Enjoys Plenty Of Positives

Ander Herrera believes Manchester United can take many positives from the first game of 2018 - the 2-0 victory at Everton.

The Reds completed the double over the Merseysiders and the second-half showing was particularly impressive, starting the New Year with a bang after three successive draws at the end of 2017.

Herrera feels players are starting to hit top form, including Jesse Lingard, as he discussed a fine display by Jose Mourinho's men at Goodison Park.

"I think we have a lot of options," he said. "We played with a lot of midfielders but, in another game, we may need more wingers, so we cannot complain because we have a fantastic squad and [have] no excuses when we draw or lose. We did very well but we have people ready for other types of games.

"We deserved to score before [Anthony Martial’s opener]. I made a shot in the first half, also Paul [Pogba] and Jesse, if I’m not wrong. And in the second half, before Jesse’s fantastic goal, we also had the chance of Juan [Mata] and very good crosses from Luke Shaw. I think we created a lot of chances, and in different ways, some shots, some penetration, some one-twos, so a lot of good things that we have to keep [doing]."

Herrera feels Lingard's golden touch, with seven goals in his last nine games, deserves all the attention it is getting.

"Fantastic," he enthused. "When you are like that, you have to shoot, shoot, shoot. I am not in that moment, you know – I shot three times [at Everton] and didn’t score, but I will keep looking for that moment.

"Jesse has it now and he has to keep trying to shoot, but the movements he does for the team are also important. He’s very quick as well; no-one can touch him, so we are very happy for him. He wants to improve, to be a fantastic player – you can see that in every training session and he’s showing that in the games.

"But I don’t want to speak only about Jesse; I think Anthony today was fantastic as well. He hasn’t played as a striker for a long time and he did fantastic. Juan also as a midfielder coming to help, Victor [Lindelof] out of position did amazing, so some very good things that we can take from the game."