Former Red Devil Ander Herrera recently appeared on Manchester United’s latest UTD Podcast and his interview turned out to be just as informative as it was emotional.
Released on Tuesday, 20 December, the ex-United midfielder spoke to co-hosts Sam Homewood and Helen Evans about his time at the club and how much the badge still means to him, with the episode simply entitled: “I have United in my heart”.
Discussing everything from his experience under different coaches, the ‘sh*thousery’ that became synonymous with his playstyle; that video of the Manchester City badge Reds share every derby day and laying bare the details surrounding his “painful” United exit, it was one of the most honest talks yet.
Having rejoined Athletic Bilbao (the club he left for Old Trafford) on loan from PSG, the presenters visited him at their home stadium as he talked through his early playing days and the impact his dad had on his career. However, it didn’t take long for them to get on to Man United and the waterworks soon followed.
It’s clear that the love for the club still remains as beyond speaking passionately about his time there throughout the pod, Herrera breaks down in tears and even has to walk off the set after he is asked about how he ultimately felt he had to leave Manchester — an outcome that few fans wanted either.
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Having become a beloved and reliable senior figure at the club way before his five years in a Red shirt were up, the Spaniard went on to explain some of the details surrounding the contract dispute that he described as a “painful” experience that left him “down” and “unhappy” given what he felt he deserved.
Despite stating that he didn’t want to “talk bad” about anyone, he did “expect a little bit more” from the club having been a committed servant and player of the year the season before. Sadly, although the club were busy offering new contracts to other players, he was not afforded the same luxury.
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Thankfully, there rest of the interview revolved around much more enjoyable and humorous topics like his time under José Mourinho and what became almost a perfect marriage between two masters of an overarching trait that never fails to both delight and wind up fans every week: ‘sh*thousery’.
As was made plainly clear, Herrera enjoyed his time under Mourinho, dubbing him not only “one of the greatest managers of all time” but the one that saw him discover a new position, making him the “more defensive midfielder” that really helped bring out the so-called ‘dark arts’ side of his game.
Herrera confessed, “He was also a little bit sh*thouse [like me] as a coach so it was a good time” — a totally honest and admittedly accurate answer that got a chuckle from the studio. While he conceded the football was more counter-attacking during that time, he insisted simply enjoyed “fighting for [his] club”.
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The 33-year-old recognised that as well as becoming an important player under him, José was also the last manager to lift a trophy at United, winning the Community Shield, Europa League and League Cup, all in his first season, not to mention regaining qualification for the Champions League.
Ander went on to add that his time under the Portuguese coach also coincided with him winning Fans’ Player of the Season award and that moments like this made him “thankful” for their time together. Shortly after, he was then asked about one rather iconic moment under Mourinho…
Yes, sorry to disappoint you United fans, but the former number 21 assured that he did not spit on the City badge on purpose. Though he could only reinforce just how much he wanted to win – “to destroy them, same as Liverpool“, even – he said he always wants a badge to be respected the same as his.
Still, as Homewood mentioned in the intro, United fans can still hold on to the idea that he simply had to deny it on camera and Ander knew exactly what he was doing. After all, it does fit the ‘sh*thouse’ mould.
For anyone neutral or those of you that don’t remember, a video of Herrera spitting on the rival crest as he walked down the tunnel at half-time while United were trailing 2-0 went is now a go-to viral meme for Reds every Manchester derby. They went on to win the game 3-2, with Herrera grabbing an assist.
As they teased on Twitter, this is a must-listen for any Manchester United fan and for those who look back fondly on the Basque footballer’s days in the Premier League, in particular.
He will no doubt go down as one of United’s biggest cult favourites ever, certainly in the post-Sir Alex era and there will be many fans who still believe he should have never been let go.
Are there any other players you feel the club should have kept?
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You can listen to the full Ander Herrera Manchester United podcast episode HERE.
Macclesfield FC announce signing of National League player from local rivals
Danny Jones
After their magical FA Cup victory this past weekend, Macclesfield FC have followed up the good news by announcing the signing of a player not only from the division above, but one leaving an old rival club here in the North West.
What a time to be a fan of The Silkmen.
Yes, just a couple of days after knocking out the holders, Crystal Palace, and progressing to the next round, Macclesfield were jokingly being linked with all manner of talent, from Messi to Bruno Fernandes, but they have still managed to secure a new player in the middle of the park from the National League.
Dropping down a level to the sixth tier of English football, the now ex-Altrincham FC midfielder Elliot Osborne has been officially unveiled, swapping red stripes for blue and white.
Confirmed on 12 January, the 29-year-old Port Vale academy graduate is no stranger to the region, having previously represented the likes of Nantwich Town, Tranmere Rovers, Southport and two loan spells at Stockport County.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent and spending several years up and down the EFL, as well as various non-league teams, he joined Alty FC back in 2022 and went on to make nearly two centuries’ worth of appearances.
However, despite playing a key role for The Robins – competing in the 2023/24 playoffs and even helping former employers beat his new ones at Macclesfield in an FA Trophy penalty shoot-out just last season – the captain was released from the local club by mutual consent this month.
Commenting on his arrival, the club said in a statement: “The combative, hard-working midfielder adds great experience to the Silkmen midfield ranks.
“Please join us in giving Elliot a warm welcome to the Leasing.com Stadium, and we wish him every success during his time with the Silkmen.”
It remains to be seen how much more business the formerly Robbie Savaged backed and managed side will do in the remainder of the January transfer window.
Despite having limited resources, currently placed 14th in the National League North, it’s fair to say there’s been so fresh interest in the project following their ‘David and Goliath’ story.
The aforementioned ‘cup-set’ against Palace has quickly gone down as one of the competition’s most memorable and magical ties in recent memory, and Osborne will no doubt be looking forward to seeing how far they can go in the knockout tournament.
You can watch his first interview in full down below.
Featured Images — Silkmen TV (screenshot via YouTube)/Macclesfield FC (via X)
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Wayne Rooney expresses interest in joining Manchester United’s coaching staff
Danny Jones
In another unexpected twist in the Manchester United manager saga, club and England legend Wayne Rooney has expressed interest in returning to Old Trafford and potentially joining their coaching staff.
Man United’s all-time leading goalscorer is one of half a dozen different former players to have been linked with either the top job or a backroom role following Ruben Amorim’s departure.
Speaking on his self-titled BBC podcast, the retired Premier League icon turned coach and now pundit, didn’t hesitate when asked about the prospect, simply replying: “of course I would” – dubbing the decision as “a no-brainer.”
"Of course I would!"
Wayne Rooney wouldn't think twice about joining Michael Carrick's staff at Manchester United if an offer arrived. pic.twitter.com/nGEAugQjHH
Rooney’s last coaching job was that of Plymouth Argyle manager, which ended in December 2024 following a run of poor results, much like his time at Birmingham City earlier that year.
Since then, he’s bounced around between punditry and broadcasting, serving as a guest on the likes of The Overlap with his old teammates and peers, as well as now co-hosting his own aforementioned pod, The Wayne Rooney Show.
However, the 40-year-old has always insisted that he still wants a future in coaching, and while it may not have worked as a full-time first-team boss just yet, perhaps more of an assistant position or more specific post (maybe training the forwards as Benni McCarthy did) could be a better fit for now.
‘Wazza’ admitted that, even despite having been on holiday with Carrick “last week”, no one could have expected this situation to have emerged, and certainly not this quick a turnaround.
Moreover, Rooney insisted that rather than preferring any particular person for the next interim head coach/United manager or to join the wider staff, he simply believes that they need “people who know the club” inside and out.
He isn’t the first to have accused the global sporting franchise of losing its ‘identity’ in the years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and many seem to believe that getting in familiar faces who were at the club during its heyday could help resolve that issue.
This was obviously pretty much the thinking when Ole Gunnar Solskjær not only became interim head coach but got the job on a permanent basis after they began looking more like the confident, attacking teams of old and like they were enjoying their football again. Though we all know how it ended.
Solskjær did look to be leading the race to return to Old Trafford for a second spell as manager initially, but it now looks as though Michael Carrick is the odds-on favourite to replace Amorim in the interim, with the suggestion that one might still assist the other.
Carrick certainly received a good amount of praise during his time at Middlesbrough, and while his time there didn’t end perfectly, either – parting ways after missing out on the playoff spots once again – there seems to be a belief that he, whether flanked by others or not, is the right choice for United at this time.
Once again, there is talk of current temporary caretaker Darren Fletcher remaining with the first team in some capacity rather than simply returning straight to the under-18s, but only time will tell who will be involved. Nevertheless, it now looks nailed on that Carrick will be in the dugout for the derby day.
Danny Jones -
20th December 2022 
