The past decade has been a difficult one at Manchester United, with plenty of false dawns.
From the various managers to the huge number of players passing through the club, Manchester United have tried different combinations to try and get the club back to past glories.
It hasn’t quite worked, but that hasn’t meant that players have failed to leave an impression with supporters along the way.
Manchester United’s former Spanish trio Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and David de Gea were three players who earned a lot of respect during their time at Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Manchester United transfer history 2013 to present day
Ander Herrera celebrates winning trophy at Athletic Bilbao
Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and David de Gea are now long gone from Manchester United, plying their trades in different parts of the globe, or not at all.
De Gea is currently without a club after being released by United last summer, while Mata recently had a stint playing in Japan.
Herrera meanwhile has returned to former club Athletic Bilbao, who United signed him from back in 2014.
The midfielder is now 34, and is lending a hand at Bilbao where he can. He has had a tough spell with injuries, starting only eight La Liga games this season, plus nine substitute appearances.
At the weekend, Athletic Bilbao won their first trophy in 40 years, defeating Mallorca on penalties in the Copa del Rey final.
Herrera was an unused substitute, reflective of his minimal role at the club, but has been a contributor along the way, playing in four matches during the cup run.
He selflessly paid tribute to teammates Iker Muniain and Oscar de Marcos, two players who featured, who were part of the Bilbao team alongside Herrera which beat Manchester United in the Europa League back in 2012.
He wrote on Instagram: “Especially happy for these two, even more than for myself…. The three of us stood there crying on the grass and I told them that they are the best in the world, that no one but them deserved this.
“I don’t know what they will have left in the club, but they should prepare a clone,” he added.
Mata message to Herrera
Ander Herrera’s message received a touching response from Muniain, who wrote: “I love you so much my friend. It was really touching, the three of us lying on the grass crying overwhat we had just achieved.”
There were also messages from Juan Mata, who wrote: “They are phenomenons, just like you. You guys deserve it.”
De Gea also responded, with a simply heart emoji, showing his respect.
Herrera’s future is unclear. If he does decide this will be his final season in football, or at Bilbao, he would be leaving on a high note.
