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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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”.
ADVERTISEMENT
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?
ADVERTISEMENT
You can listen to the full Ander Herrera Manchester United podcast episode HERE.
Lancashire Cricket are offering free programmes to 1,400 kids across the county and Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
The Lancashire Cricket Foundation is offering free cricket programmes to 1,400 kids across the county and the Greater Manchester region this summer.
Offering coaching and games to children from disadvantaged backgrounds whilst also aiming for greater female participation this year, the Foundation’s bursary programme is being opened up to young ones all across Lancashire and various parts of 0161.
Set to deliver opportunities to a record number of kids in 2024, the scheme is part of the nationwide All Stars and Dynamos initiative – now into its sixth year and set up by the England and Wales Cricket Board – and is open to all kids between the ages of 5-11, with more than 5,600 in Lancashire last year alone.
The aim is pretty simple: keep kids active and playing as much as possible, whilst also helping nurture the world of grassroots cricket.
While the eight-hour long kids courses themselves cost £30 for the younger bracket and £40 for those 8-11, bursary places are being reserved for children living in deprived areas and diverse communities, where participation would otherwise be limited.
The programme has proved massively popular all across the North West and thanks to likes of total of the Red Rose’s Community Foundation works, who have brought the scheme to more than 200 clubs and centres across the nation, more than 20,000 children have taken part since it was introduced.
Now that’s one way to put the future of UK cricket in safe hands.
As for the All Stars and Dynamos, in addition to providing a social outlet and activities to help develop fundamental skills on and off the pitch, organisers always ensure to make things fully inclusive and support a wide range of abilities, disabilities and different learning needs.
In addition to the coaching received, every child who registers also receives their very own t-shirt, personalised with their name and number, as well as a range of other benefits including priority access to LCC tickets, chances to meet players, discounts on merch and lots of other potential prizes.
Jen Barden, Executive Director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, said of this year’s efforts:“Through a variety of programmes, the Foundation delivers cricket to more than 110,000 participants in our schools, clubs, and communities, and we have a strong commitment to growing the game of cricket across the county.
“We are particularly proud of the Bursary Scheme that provides young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and under-represented groups with access to cricket. These programmes are vital for introducing the game to more young people, helping them stay active and develop new skills, in a fun, friendly, and inclusive environment.”
Parents can register their children for All Stars and Dynamos Cricket courses and find out whether they qualify for a bursary HERE.
Everton manager Sean Dyche randomly pops up in the music video for Blossoms’ new single – and he’s great
Danny Jones
Did anyone else think they’d ever see Sean Dyche make his acting debut in the role of a Northern crime boss in a silly little music video for the Blossoms?
No, us neither but that’s the bizarre alternate reality we’re living in, apparently.
Blossoms are currently working on the fifth studio album and have already released their lead single entitled, ‘To Do List (After The Break-Up)’, but now they have a new song out as well, with a rather amusing music video to go along with it and somehow Sean Dyche has found himself the star.
The Stockport band teased the curious collaboration in April, giving us just short glimpses of the Everton manager and former Burnley boss with very little explanation – all we know is that it looked funny and it was.
Dyche is still busy trying to finish the Premier League campaign as strong as possible after successfully navigating the Toffees to safety even in spite of their points deductions this season, but it sounds like keeping them up has given him enough time to moonlight as an actor.
Sending the indie five-piece on a mission to collect something of value (yes, that’s all the info we have at this point as the story is still to be continued), it looks like the Kettering-born coach has a larger role to play in whatever this narrative turns out to be.
Playing what can only be described as some kind of semi-Manc mafia figure on the hunt for a very valuable piece of art, i.e. a big giant gorilla statue – one that many Stopfordians spotted being lugged around various parts of the borough –
They also shared a little bit of BTS footage from the shoot for the music video last week. Some lovely head-bobbing and unassuming surroundings here:
As for the track itself, it’s a bit of stylistic change for the lads who’ve mastered their 80s-tinged indie formula over the past decade but it’s an absolute pop and is already stuck in our heads.
Revealing that they’ve collaborated with contemporary funk, disco and electronic icons Jungle on the track, it doesn’t take too long to hear the influences. Look forward to hearing it at Wythenshawe Park this summer.
You can watch the music video for ‘What Can I Say?’ and the ginger-goatee’d football manager extraordinaire in full character HERE.
He’s not the only footballing figure who’s made an entertainment crossover recently either.