Ander Herrera has talked about how he paid close attention to Holland during the World Cup, knowing that Louis van Gaal was going to be his next manager at club level.

“I watched what he did with Tim Krul,” he said. “It was unusual but in our sessions, too, everyone takes penalties and all the keepers face them. Van Gaal watches and I imagine he notes it down. He’s sharp on detail, he uses a lot of statistics. I’m sure he’d do [something like] that again if necessary. I watched Holland, focusing on the system. Naturally, you think where you might fit, what he might ask of you.”

Herrera has likened his position at United to that of Nigel de Jong’s for Holland.

“De Jong, in front of the defence, where I played in midweek. I could also be the No10, the Sneijder. What do I offer? Enthusiasm, ilusión, character. I think I’m a winner. I like to have the ball, to be available. I try to play and to defend. I’m aggressive. If the manager wants me in front of the defence, fine. If it’s at No10, No10. If right-back, fine but of course my qualities are: offer myself, distribute, construct and last year I worked on improving my llegada, the ability to arrive and join the attack.”