Blow For Atletico And Barca As United Trigger Midfielder Deal
Reuters / Eddie Keogh
Extensions clauses have been used quite often by Manchester United over the seasons. The added year option has proven to be immensely useful to the Premier League giants in securing talent with the club for several seasons.
Moreover, it also ensures that players won’t be able to hold talks with other clubs during the winter window. Having done the same for Luke Shaw last week, the Red Devils have apparently done it yet again for a star that has fallen from the ranks quite a bit.
Reports in The Mail suggest that Ander Herrera will remain tied with the club till 2019 as a result of the clause.
This means that the Spaniard, who would have otherwise been out of contract in the summer window, and could have begun negotiating an exit in January itself, will now be unable to do the same.
Despite winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award last season, Herrera hasn’t been featured much by Mourinho so far this season.
This is largely due to the arrival of Nemanja Matic from Chelsea, as the Serbian’s position as a holding midfielder has made the usual roles of the versatile 28-year-old seem second best. Even during Saturday’s 4-1 triumph over Newcastle, Herrera was deployed only as a substitute late in the game.
With the extension, the Mancunian outfit has also ensured that the Spanish international won’t leave for free, and could potentially reap some benefit from a transfer.
However, this doesn’t necessarily bode bad fortune for the player, as the same source revealed that the club is also working on a potential long-term deal for him.
If that does indeed happen to be the case, then Herrera must truly work harder and show Mourinho a performance that will force the Portuguese boss to hand him a better and more regular role.
The fans love the dynamic midfielder, and will perhaps enjoy his midfield prowess for another season, but what awaits them after that?
Written by Naveen Kelvin 
A writer trying to craft the poetry within football. Purpose in life is to Make Good Art.