Manchester United players past and present have welcomed Spanish new boy Ander Herrera after he completed his £29million transfer from Athletic Bilbao.
The 24-year-old, who was the subject of a ‘hoax’ bid claimed to be from the club last summer, has signed a four-year deal with the Old Trafford outfit after they met his contract release clause.
And ex-United stars have already heralded the signing of the creative midfielder.
Nineties defender David May believes that the Spanish flavour introduced into the dressing room by the arrival of David De Gea and Juan Mata in recent seasons will help Herrera find his feet in the rough and tumble world of the Barclays Premier League.
May said: “We have been crying out for a top-class midfielder and, when I have watched him, he has been the real deal. He is the perfect age as well at 24.
“It will help to have David De Gea and Juan Mata here, I am sure they have already spoken to him about what the club is all about and how big it is, the fans and their passion. He’ll be a fantastic addition.”
And De Gea and Mata have put aside their World Cup woes to welcome their compatriot, who is yet to feature for the Spanish national side, on Twitter as they promise to be United’s very own three amigos.
“@ManUtd: Ander Herrera is a Red! #mufc pic.twitter.com/g96yiVzSFY” Bienvenido crack! Welcome !!
— Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) June 26, 2014
Welcome my friend @ManUtd: Ander Herrera is a Red! #mufc pic.twitter.com/VFcFeerf6q
— David De Gea (@D_DeGea) June 26, 2014
Red favourite Andy Ritchie, who began his professional career at the club, insists the Basque boy has caught his eye and said: “I think it is a fantastic signing, we have been after him for a while and he has been on our radar.
“I have been impressed with him. We all know that we needed midfield players and I think we have got one now that is a real talent and is still quite young.
“We are going to get a lot of games out of him and longevity, which is something that Manchester United always look for. I think we are going to get that in Ander Herrera.”
Even Red Devils of bygone days are on board as 1968 European Cup winner Alex Stepney claimed the Spaniard could fill the void left by the retirement of Paul Scholes.
“We have been looking for midfield players for the last couple of seasons, since Paul Scholes finished,” said Busby Babe keeper Stepney.
“I think it’s a great signing. Let’s hope he hits the ground running. We have got to hit the ground running and everyone has to be moving in the same direction.
“This is something that will boost everybody from the supporters, to the club and his team-mates.”
Irishman Kevin Moran agreed that Herrera has the quality on the ball to get United back on top of English football.
Moran said: “Well, we certainly needed a midfielder and somebody of his quality will definitely be an asset. People around Old Trafford might not know too much about him but, by all accounts, he has the pedigree that is needed.
“I hope it is the first of a few signings. I certainly think it is needed and he is at the right age. He has got the legs that we need in midfield.”
And here’s a taste of Herrera’s quality for United fans who have yet to discover the ex-Bilbao man’s skills:
Herrera is Dutchman Louis van Gaal’s first signing since taking over at Old Trafford and his second arrived today when Southampton left-back Luke Shaw put pen to paper to bring United’s spending to around £60m.
Main image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
