Herrera U-turns on Man Utd stance after blasting club with "I deserved more" dig
Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has admitted he was "touched" by the response he got from Red Devils fans during their pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao.
Herrera now lines up for the Spanish outfit and was brought on late in the second-half when the two sides met in Dublin on Sunday. The pair played out a 1-1 draw at the Aviva Stadium, with Nico Williams firing Athletic in front after a Harry Maguire mistake but Facundo Pellistri spared his team-mates blushes with a last-gasp equaliser.
Ex-United star Herrera earned a standing ovation from the United fans in attendance, which served as a heartwarming reminder that those of a Red Devils persuasion have not forgotten the Spaniard's efforts over the course of his five-year spell at Old Trafford from 2014 until 2019.
Following the friendly clash, Herrera was pressed for comment on how he felt about the reaction from his former fanbase by MUTV. His reply was equally as warm, with the former Paris Saint-Germain ace claiming: "They have shown me the support, the love and they know I feel the same for the club, for all of them.
"Of course it is special and that touches me, that means you have done something good for the club, at least. I always put everything on the pitch for the club, for the badge. I feel so proud to have been a Manchester United player. That stays with me for the rest of my life and I will support from Bilbao the team.
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While his comments make for welcome reading from a United perspective, Herrera hasn't always been quite so affectionate towards his former side.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Did United handle Herrera's exit poorly? Comment below
Athletic Bilbao's Ander Herrera signed Man United shirts before Sunday's pre-season friendlyOne year after he bid farewell to United after failing to agree on a new contract and joining PSG on a free, Herrera blasted those at the top of the club's hierarchy. The Spain international admitted he felt undervalued by those running the show at Old Trafford because an extension was only offered to him with six months left to run on his first deal.
"It was not about money,' he told The Athletic back in 2020. "It was not about the duration of the contract offer. In my opinion, I waited too long (for an offer) and deserved more attention from the club.
"I was a player that gave everything. I never complained. I never went to the media to complain about anything. I never put a bad face to any manager, to any member of the board, and they waited until I had five or six months left on my contract. That's why I had some disagreements with them."
It is clear that it is all water under the bridge now for Herrera who admitted he was hopeful United can challenge for the biggest honours this coming campaign. He added: "I am optimistic for this season as well with the Premier League and with all the trophies, so I hope both teams we can have a great season."
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