Ander Herrera broke down in tears when discussing his departure from former club Manchester United, claiming that he expected more from the club.
Herrera has revealed that he found his exit from United 'painful' as he had been expecting an offer from he club to extend his stay with the Red Devils, which coincided with FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League wins.
The former United favourite - who has backed Marcus Rashford to become a club legend - joined under Louis van Gaal in 2014, before leaving for PSG on a free transfer free five years later and then returning to Athletic Bilbao in 2022.
'To leave, it was difficult because six months before, five months before, I was expecting that offer for me to stay,' said Herrera on the UTD Podcast.
'I don't want to, it's not the moment to talk bad about anyone and I am not going to do it, but after my third season with the club I expected a little bit more from the club at that time.
'I won the player of the season award from the fans and the club didn't call me in that summer to sign a new contract and they did with other players so that was painful for me.
'I think I deserved (a contract extension) but they didn't do it and after the conditions changed because I was not happy with that little moment from the club.
'I'm so so thankful, but that was painful at the end of the third season. Three titles, player of the year and they didn't call me in the summer so I was feeling a little bit down.'
Herrera was one of the club's key performers in a period that saw them struggle to regain their status in not just the English game, but across European football.
He would play 189 games for the Red Devils, scoring 20 goals and providing 27 assists from defensive midfield.
The decision to allow the player to leave for free came under scrutiny, with the Spaniard consistently a performer for not just Van Gaal, but also Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during their respective tenures at Old Trafford.
Herrera admitted that he was later offered a new deal at the club, but the damage had already been done for the midfielder by that point.
'And after, they called me when I had one year left on the contract and the things, they were not right for me,' he added.
'I fight for the club until the last day, no problem at all, I respected my contract until the last day.
'But they didn't come at the right moment in my opinion, and in my agent's opinion, and in my family's opinion as well.'
And when asked whether he was emotional on his final day at Old Trafford, he said: 'I remember that last day at Old Trafford, I still have a picture with my daughter, so yeah it was,' before breaking down in tears and walking away to compose himself.
Vakcdinoru
2
we missed you herreara and will forever supports you
Vakcdinoru
0
You should know United leave it late to extend players contract baring Bruno. If everyone that have only one year left on their contract Decide to leave then probably there would be few players remaining. Marcus ,Degea,Shaw,just to mention a few have one year left .you demanded 300k a week contract and United didn't see you as a 300k a week player ,you forgot to chip in that too
It’s a lie ... he only demanded 200k instead of the 170k that United were paying him and I didn’t see any problem with that because he deserved it 💯
yutcklpstu
0
You should know United leave it late to extend players contract baring Bruno. If everyone that have only one year left on their contract Decide to leave then probably there would be few players remaining. Marcus ,Degea,Shaw,just to mention a few have one year left .you demanded 300k a week contract and United didn't see you as a 300k a week player ,you forgot to chip in that too
in his case, he was there when DDG, shaw, Rashford, Martial were given contract extensions with unbelievable wages but Olé ignored him whilst he was our best player
yutcklpstu
0
I will never forgive Olé for letting fans favorite, captain material Herrera go for free but instead gave contract extensions with superstar wages to Shaw, Rashford, Martial and spending too much on overrated and overpriced Maguire and AWB. Herrera was far better than Mcfred combined and very commuted to our club.
Cjaysports
0
And we were left with pogba and u think pogba was better than him right?? Herrera gave everything on the pitch,, his man marking was the best at least he loved the club and what did the club do to repay him?? Sold him and wanted to give that 300k to pogba instead but they didnt after he got injured.. i love man utd but that board just needs to be sacked they hv zero knowledge about football.. imagine how ten haag would hv loved to hv herrera in that midfield instead of fred or mc tominay
I'm not saying Herrera isn't good I personally love his passion all I'm saying was 300k per week was too much for a player like him .230k all right but definitely not 300k.
Zocairsz
0
You should know United leave it late to extend players contract baring Bruno. If everyone that have only one year left on their contract Decide to leave then probably there would be few players remaining. Marcus ,Degea,Shaw,just to mention a few have one year left .you demanded 300k a week contract and United didn't see you as a 300k a week player ,you forgot to chip in that too
And we were left with pogba and u think pogba was better than him right?? Herrera gave everything on the pitch,, his man marking was the best at least he loved the club and what did the club do to repay him?? Sold him and wanted to give that 300k to pogba instead but they didnt after he got injured.. i love man utd but that board just needs to be sacked they hv zero knowledge about football.. imagine how ten haag would hv loved to hv herrera in that midfield instead of fred or mc tominay
bato1
0
Better player Just imagine Bruno Herrera and casemiro in our midfield
it would have been
Cjaysports
1
You should know United leave it late to extend players contract baring Bruno. If everyone that have only one year left on their contract Decide to leave then probably there would be few players remaining. Marcus ,Degea,Shaw,just to mention a few have one year left .you demanded 300k a week contract and United didn't see you as a 300k a week player ,you forgot to chip in that too
Rekabelnou
3
No less a person than ole, cos he choose to give preference to English players even if u are underperforming…. Gave contact extension to jones and allowing Herrera to live for free
louadeipz
2
team that doesn't value committed players, Jones and others are signing contract without even play. so many things are wrong in man u club and that's why they can't get team on track again.bad management
Damivicker
4
the biggest mistake to allow him to leave in free transfer.
monbcsty
3
manchester united really treat you bad
Klef122
4
Better player Just imagine Bruno Herrera and casemiro in our midfield