Rex wrote:
Herrera was played at 10 every time I saw him last season with Mikel Rico and Iturraspe bossing the midfield. Despite playing at 10, he hardly scores or assists.
This is true, he only played #10 last season but they mainly used him in CM prior to last season.
Rex wrote:I'll say this - if Man U plan on playing him at CM in a 4-2-3-1 formation, they are going to need a monster DM to make it work decently.
He played a lot of matches in CM alongside Iturraspe in a 4-2-3-1 under Bielsa. Sometimes they changed shape, with Iturasspe being the sole holding midfielder and both Herrera and De Marcos playing slightly ahead of him (similar to the role Xavi and Iniesta play at Barca) in a 4-3-3.
He's not a true #10 despite playing there for Bilbao, he's a technician but his passing isn't particularly great in the final 3rd. He's more adept at playing passes between the lines, not a throughball specialist like Ozil or Cesc, he's the guy that gets it forward to those guys. I'd say he's best in a box to box role.
Mikel Rico had a good season but I don't think he's good enough for ManU (yet). Iturraspe is good enough IMO but he'll be competing with Carrick for a place in the team. I know Carrick is getting on, but they are in more urgent need to replace the jokers that play next to him (Cleverly, Fellaini, Giggs, Anderson etc) and I think Herrera is the right choice.
