MANCHESTER UNITED MIDFIELDER Ander Herrera is optimistic that competing with new recruits like Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger will only improve him.
The former Athletic Bilbao man started 28 games in all competitions last season but faces a renewed challenge for his place in Louis van Gaal’s midfield.
“After one season, I know how well I have to play to keep playing for Manchester United,” Herrera told the Daily Mirror. “I’m happy with my development last season but this is Manchester — I have to keep improving if I want to play for this club.
“We have the capacity to buy new players, we have the best players in the world, but I think it’s good for me. I’m a young player, I want to keep improving but, of course, it’s always difficult to keep playing here. Now there are even better players than last season but it’s a good challenge for me.
“I love football, I love my job and I love to improve so I don’t see that as a problem. I see it as a new challenge that will make me better.”
The 25-year-old is confident that he will get plenty of chances over the 2015-16 campaign and is ready for the fight, with Champions League fixtures now to be juggled as well a domestic commitments.
“I always believed in myself when I was not playing much [last season],” he continued. “I knew in advance I was coming to maybe the biggest club in the world so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to play – otherwise I would have stayed in Bilbao – but I love the challenge; I love to have the chance to play for Manchester United.
“Now we have a new season with the chance to play in the Champions League so, when I am not playing, I’m calm because I believe in my qualities. The most important thing, if we win something, if we win a title, if we’re playing for the Champions League, is that everyone is going to be important because the big teams are formed with 20-22 players, not only 11.
“I think I was important in moments last season but I want to be even more important this season.”
