Despite leaving it late to secure a win, Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera felt his side’s performance against Derby County in their FA Cup third round fixture on Friday night was one of the best of their season so far.
“I think we have played one of our best games this season – full of control, good play, good movement of the ball and everyone feeling good on the pitch, participating in the game,” the Spaniard told MUTV after the game.
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“That is why I couldn’t believe we weren’t winning after 30 minutes. I think football was fair with us, we have scored two in the end but we could have scored six or seven, to be honest,” the combative midfielder, who completed 90 minutes against the Championship side on Friday, added.
Jesse Lingard struck a marvellous goal from distance to continue his fine goalscoring run as United broke the deadlock with six minutes left before substitute Romelu Lukaku sealed the deal after a quick breakaway.
And Herrera was effusive in his praise for both goalscorers as he gushed, “The goal (Lingard’s) was amazing, the goal was incredible. He tries always, he moves very well. He has a very good shot with both feet. When you try all the time and you’re optimistic with yourself and you try and try, sooner or later you will get the result. The result was again another fantastic goal”.
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Lukaku’s goal was well-deserved after United’s dominance and Herrera was quick to laud not only the burly Belgian but Anthony Martial as well for their involvement in the second goal.
“He (Lukaku) played very well.He held the ball up for us, he gave us that target man in the second half, he played amazing. The second goal was incredible, also the assist of Anthony (Martial) was very good”.
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“I think we cannot say just two or three names today, the whole team played amazingly. We were very good on the pitch, moving the ball, everyone receiving the ball – running, shooting, crossing. I think we did everything good. Of course you always have things to improve on but almost everything was good,” Herrera added.
The Red Devils will know who their fourth round opponents will be on Monday after the draw but will be backing themselves to beat any side at the moment.
Jose Mourinho’s men have a bit of a breather now as they next play a game on January 15, a home Premier League clash with Stoke City.