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.
Manchester City auctioning off exclusive ‘artefacts’ from Pep Guardiola’s office
Danny Jones
Manchester City are set to auction off a limited number of used and/or signed items previously owned by legendary football manager Pep Guardiola himself.
The iconic Catalan head coach may have now left the club, but it’s fair to say that supporters are still grieving the bittersweet goodbye – and if you’re one of them, then this might be a good way of clinging on to him and the memories.
Teaming up with MatchWornShirt, an authentic collectables company that deals in memorabilia used by the sporting stars themselves, fans will soon be able to own a ‘piece of Pep’ if they so wish as part of this very special merchandise dump.
So, if you’re a collector of signed or match-worn merch, here’s a taster of what’s up for grabs:
Several items from @PepTeam's office are up for auction 🤝
Yes, should they be willing to put in the winning bid, Blues can genuinely own some of Guardiola‘s office knick-nacks, a tactics board and notes scribed on by the man himself, as well as his actual chair and even his whistle.
Does that count as kissing him? That’s not for us to say…
There is more standard fare, of course, such as worn training kits, photo frames, programmes and other printed media – almost all of which are signed by the 55-year-old.
On the other hand, if you’re so inclined to go for the super rare stuff, you can even buy his desk lamp and go-to coffee cups; whatever floats your boat.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss left Etihad Stadium this summer after 10 years as a Cityzen – with the club even releasing a dedicated ‘Decade Collection’ in his honour – and it now looks as though he could be set for his next job.
His former assistant turned replacement and ex-U23s/Elite Development Squad (EDS), Enzo Maresca, is now in place and making his first impressions on the City squad; safe to say it’ll take some work to leave the same lasting legacy as his mentor.
As for the auction, the club have labelled these exclusive trinkets as “artefacts”, promising that you won’t get many other opportunities, if any, to claim this kind of ‘KeePepsake’.
Meanwhile, in other MCFC news, the City Football Group (CFG) are taking steps to ensure local fans have easier access to matchday tickets with a new postcode lottery, of sorts.
Featured Images — Manchester City Football Club (supplied)
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Manchester United fan groups issue urgent joint letter as thousands could lose season tickets
Danny Jones
Man United fan groups have banded together to issue a joint statement as they look to urgently rectify thousands of loyal supporters having their season tickets taken away by the club.
The backlash to the confusing cancellations has been huge, and Man United themselves are yet to issue an official response or carry out the mass revocation.
More than 5,000 matchgoers are said to have received emails from MUFC informing them that their season tickets are set to be cancelled due to alleged ‘breaches of their ticket-sharing policies’. This comes as part of a wider attempt at cracking down on touts.
Manchester United’s official Supporters Trust (MUST) has joined forces with the other major fan groups to sign an urgent letter demanding not only answers but a halting of the current process and correction of what looks to be countless mistakes when it comes to ticketing decisions.
2/ The recent actions of Manchester United have finally achieved what those efforts could not: a unanimous, historic and unprecedented unification of
— MUST | Manchester United Supporters Trust (@MU_ST) July 21, 2026
The joint plea comes not only from MUST but also from fellow vocal organisations such as The Red Army (TRA), The 1958, and the Manchester United Youth Supporters Club, all of whom represent some of the most passionate and die-hard fans who travel far and wide to see their team week in and week out.
It goes on to detail that all relevant Fans’ Forum representatives, more than 100 different and crucially official supporters clubs, as well as the notable fanzine, United We Stand, have all signed the document.
The full statement goes on to read: “Earlier today, a message was sent to Manchester United emphasising full support for the Fans’ Forum’s recent letter relating to the premature suspension of Season Ticket Holders without required evidence.
“In summary, we have reiterated the demands made by the FF: immediately halt the ongoing suspension process, immediately retract all unproven suspensions, confirm the current number of season tickets; explain its apparent policy of reducing the number of STs, and confirm that all reclaimed STs are reissued to supporters on the waiting list.”
Here’s just a small taste of what fans are reporting online – including claims of local rivals Manchester City carrying out similarly brutal broad-strokes culling of the core match-going base…
Disgraceful how United are treating their most loyal supporters. The club is completely out of touch with the supporters who have been the lifeblood of the club for years. https://t.co/snM7tgVYmy
Can't even take the piss because this is coming to all Premier League clubs at some stage, including us. They don't want the legacy fans, they want the tourists https://t.co/fkg911xr3y
Many are already turning wherever they can for advice and help over the deeply troubling matter, with the consensus seeming to be that the parameters for these new measures have failed to target the right kind of touting, which does remain a problem throughout football at large.
One person claimed that “the club is targeting ‘super-users’ who log into multiple accounts from the same network or device to submit away applications, handle renewals, check ballot results, etc.”
Passing on tickets when you can’t make matches isn’t just inevitable: it’s been part and parcel of the game since forever and is also an effort to ensure that the person taking your place isn’t just any old fan but an active supporter; i.e. there’s meaning behind that word – it’s not just a noun but a verb.
That being said, it isn’t these people who should be punished but those genuinely trying to scam the system and take already expensive tickets out of real fans’ hands.
In perhaps one of the most heartbreaking posts shared on social media, another X user wrote: “Just back from holiday to discover family and friends have had their season tickets suspended.
“I’ve been offline for the past week and had no idea how widely the club had cast its net – or how many innocent Reds have been caught up in this. My uncle is 82 years old. A lifelong Red. Potentially banned because his son (also facing ban) helps him manage an app he struggles to use.” Simply gutting.
While they are still waiting for direct communication from the club on the matter, MUST have promised to share the reaction publicly “in the interests of transparency and fairness”, along with any and all “potential consequences” as a consequence of what they ultimately decide.
For anyone deliberating over just how important these tickets are not only to people who spend their hard-earned money and downtime following their club, just think of howmany rely on going to the game as a crucial social outlet.
It’s more than just watching a bunch of blokes kicking a ball around.
My heart goes out to everyone battling against the club right now. Whatever has gone on, losing your season ticket, or even the threat of it, is the worst. Seen people who have been all around watching this team for decades who are now being told they can’t go anymore. Horrible.
Danny Jones -
20th December 2022 
