An emotional Ander Herrera was brought to tears as he discussed his exit from Manchester United.
Herrera was hugely popular among fans during his time at Old Trafford between 2014 and 2019 but was allowed to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2018/19 season, inking a deal with Paris Saint-Germain upon the expiry of his contract.
Speaking on United’s official UTD Podcast, Herrera opened up on the ‘devastating’ decision to leave Old Trafford and he could not contain his emotions.
“To leave, it was difficult because six months before, five months before, I was expecting that offer for me to stay,” he said.
“I don’t want to… it’s not the moment to talk bad about anyone and I am not going to do it, but after my third season with the club I expected a little bit more from the club at that time. I got the Player of the Year award by the fans and the club didn’t call me that summer to sign a new contract, and they did with other players. That was painful for me, honestly.
“I think I deserved it and they didn’t do it. After, the conditions changed because I was not happy with that little moment with the club. People go through the club but the club and the badge stays the same, so I could never say one bad word about the club because I am so, so thankful.
“But that was a little bit painful. At the end of the third season, three titles, Player of the Year, and they didn’t call me in the summer so I was feeling a bit down. And after, they called me when I had one year left on the contract and the things, they were not right for me. I fight for the club until the last day, no problem at all, I respected my contract until the last day. But they didn’t come at the right moment in my opinion, and in my agent’s opinion, and in my family’s opinion as well.”