OneFootball
·8 May 2025
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·8 May 2025
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
OneFootball had the opportunity to speak with Ander Herrera, thanks to Rent-A-Car, to heat up the anticipation for the return of the Europa League semi-finals between Athletic Club and United.
Let's remember that Ander made his great talent known internationally with the red-and-whites and was able to show what he was made of with the Red Devils.
"If there is a club that can pull off the comeback, it's Athletic because of what they've done in recent years, because of the human group, because I know that with very little to lose, Athletic is even more dangerous. It's true that there are absences, but if Athletic scores an early goal… We must bear in mind that United has two faces. Against Athletic they won by three goals and the other day against Brentford they fell heavily. Athletic has to cling to that, they must go out to attack because they don't know how to do anything else and if those clear chances they had at the start at San Mamés are converted at Old Trafford, I think the story can change".
Let's remember that Ander, started the season as a Lion and until the round of 16, was under the command of Ernesto Valverde.
"I started this competition with Athletic and I want it to be Athletic's year at the European level, but we'll see what happens. United is a tough nut to crack. With this coach they can play on the counterattack. It's going to be a beautiful match. If Athletic scores a goal in the first few minutes anything can happen. These competitions always leave us with epic moments like what happened between Inter and Barcelona".
The star who migrated to Argentine football is used to watching a lot of football and he assured us that he will not miss the match tomorrow. That's why he told us where the tactical key for both teams could be.
"Athletic will have chances because they always generate them. If United plays through the middle, Athletic has players who can steal a lot there. It's true that the absence of the Williams will weigh because you can play more forward and you already have a dangerous chance. But Athletic has players like Djaló, Berenguer, Unai Gómez, Guruzeta, Sanmadi who can take care of causing damage. If United decides to play through the middle they will be making a mistake, but if they wait for the counterattack, it could be more beneficial for them because Athletic has to leave spaces because they have to go out to attack and expose themselves a bit. If Garnacho, Hojlund or Diallo play, they will be dangerous for Athletic because they could exploit the counterattacks even more".
Finally, Ander recalled his time at Manchester United, where he played for five years and was able to win the Europa League in the 2016/17 season with that memorable team led by José Mourinho.
I enjoyed almost 200 matches at the club and half of them were at Old Trafford. The connection I had with the people was unique. I am eternally grateful. I always value how I behaved with the institution and that field. On that field an impressive atmosphere is created like the day of the Olympique Lyon that only United can do. I got to enjoy it and I feel privileged to have been able to play there.
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