Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has made a bold statement against Manchester City, asserting that the club deserves significant punishment that should set a precedent. The 37-year-old, currently with Real Zaragoza, shared his views during an interview on Mario Suarez's programme 'El Camino de Mario'.
According to Herrera, the previous situation was unacceptable, a sentiment echoed by many. He recalled how friends struggled to obtain tickets for Manchester United matches at Old Trafford, while tickets to the Etihad were being given away for free. Herrera emphasized that, had he been an inhabitant of the Manchester City dressing room, he would feel anger at the tarnished reputation surrounding the club. He added that Tottenham Hotspur has been affected by these circumstances, missing out on Champions League football for three years and consequently losing substantial revenue. Notably, he pondered how he could have claimed an Premier League title under different circumstances.
During the conversation, Herrera also reflected on his experiences with former managers:
Jose Mourinho: He described Mourinho as a 'manager of men', recalling an incident where the coach publicly criticized his poor performance after a Europa League match, only to embrace him the next day. Herrera expressed his support for Mourinho during his time at Real Madrid, affirming that the manager has the charisma and character to achieve success.
Marcelo Bielsa: He shared anecdotes about how the Argentine could call players during their siestas and once encountered the team 'almost naked' as he couldn’t wait to discuss tactical setups.
Mauricio Pochettino: Herrera revealed that he advised the manager to stay strong during their time together at PSG, highlighting the challenges of managing a star-studded squad featuring Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.
On Mbappe, Herrera noted the Frenchman’s prolific scoring at Real Madrid but mentioned that he would ultimately be judged by the titles he wins, adding that the Madrid side currently lacks a player the calibre of Rodri.
