Ander Herrera considering Manchester United exit in January

Midfielder Ander Herrera is reportedly considering leaving Manchester United, as he is yet to receive a new contract offer from the club. According to a report in the Metro, Herrera is disappointed at the delay in being offered fresh terms. Herrera obviously loves life at United, and is one of the few in the squad who really seems to get the club, but is willing to listen to offers from clubs abroad starting in January.

Ander is one of a number of players on expiring contracts, including fellow Spaniards David De Gea and Juan Mata. The arrival of Fred has pushed Herrera further down the midfield pecking order, and he also now has renewed competition for his place from Andreas Pereira.

Last summer, United triggered a 12-month extension on the contract Herrera signed when he joined in 2014, but no new terms have been offered since. This has apparently frustrated the midfielder and his representatives, who believe the club is taking his loyalty for granted. United have recent experience with letting the contract of another midfielder valued by José Mourinho run out, as seen with the somewhat embarrassing Marouane Fellaini “saga” of last summer. As much as Mourinho may like Herrera, the manager has admitted that he plays no role in contract negotiations with players and their reps.

“I don’t belong in the process of discussing deals with the players and negotiations with agents. I never did that, it’s something that I don’t even like to do. I would be a bad negotiator; I would give everything to the players. So I don’t belong to that.”

For a club with United’s ambitions, Herrera may well need upgrading on. But he is a useful player, and has shown he can handle responsibilities in big games. If nothing else, it would be a shame to see him leave on a free transfer.