ANDER HERRERA HAS dismissed the idea of Manchester United going undefeated for the remainder of the season as they prepare for a testing run of games.
The Old Trafford giants have not lost — winning nine and drawing one — since interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho in December.
The Norwegian’s arrival has brought a renewed positivity to the club, but midfielder Herrera, 29, has warned his team-mates they cannot afford to get carried away ahead of the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain next Tuesday and should forget about records.
Before then United travel to Fulham on Saturday in the Premier League with clashes against Chelsea and Liverpool in the FA Cup and league respectively coming immediately after.
Herrera told Sky Sports: “Let’s go game by game because, if you lose one game, you regret. Now, for Fulham, then we will think about PSG.
“The best way to prepare for the PSG game is to try and win away at Fulham and that’s the way I think.”
The Spaniard has poured cold water on the idea United’s unbeaten run could extend to May.
That is impossible,” he added. “The Premier League is so tough, City is a fantastic team and they lost away at Newcastle.
“In the Premier League, it’s impossible to go unbeaten from when the manager came in, to have 25 or 30 games unbeaten.”
Herrera, meanwhile, says the United squad has been rejuvenated under Solskjaer, but refused to compare the current mood to the atmosphere that existed under Mourinho.
“We are very happy with him at the moment, but I’m not going to do comparisons,” said Herrera, who has been a key figure in United’s unbeaten run.
I am only going to speak about what is happening now. I’m not comparing.
“Everyone feels free. We’re playing with a lot of freedom, this is one of the things he is talking about every day.”
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Great to see both Stockdale and O Mahony rested completely. They are needed 100% for Scotland
@Greg Mallin: haha
Interesting to see no real back 3 cover on the bench, i know he says ringrose can cover out wide but I wonder will schmidt try henshaw back at 15 again for a spell in the second half. Aki seems to have the 12 jersey nailed down but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them mixing up the order as the game goes on, either way both centres will need a good game vs what I think is the best centre partnership in world rugby.
After that it’s see how you go for a few guys, I’d say it’s very much an audition for the Scottish game for a few guys – particularly the individuals in the back row but also Cronin at hooker. I’d like to see how a back row of Ruddock, o mahony and stander go together. Killer is pushing hard for a start too but he might be more valuable off the bench.
@Jim Demps: i would like to see that br but tried but imo this br is the most balanced one we can put out. Cj is a great 6 and having a natural 7 on the pitch is always an advantage imo. Conan does need to be consistently good against top sides at international level tho and he can really cause Joe major headaches if he gets the better of this welsh br. Good shout at the 15 option but I think we’ll see Larmour go there if Rob is being taken off. It’s a very strong team, I am quietly confident. That bench has some seriously powerful impact in the forwards especially!
@Jim Demps: killer has been in great form. Him fired up coming on for last 20 odd minutes is a great option to have.
@Kevin: if you’re not in a green jersey it’s a thing of nightmares. His power is freakish, imo he’s one of if not the most improved Irish player over the last season or so.
@Ian Verdon: and in fairness to Healy, most of our other ‘stars’ through form or injury were below par in 2019 bar maybe Earl’s and even he’s carrying injuries now. But I thought Healy was superb all year, great scrummaging & carrying better than ever. I’d start him & bring on killer, no let up at all
@Tim Magner: Healy is back to his best and I’m delighted to be able to say that. As I said earlier it’s brilliant to have two Lh’s that no opposition will be looking forward to going against. Hopefully they continue this form into the coming season and if Jack can get back to his lions level up in Ulster we’ll have 3 excellent options.
@Jim Demps: Larmour to full back, Ringrose to wing would be my thinking. Or Ringrose straight to wing if we’ve a wing replacement.
Managing minutes as well as injury here I think, would be great to win but avoiding injuries will be key to hitting the Scotland game at full tilt. Based purely on form a good few of these guys are under pressure or at least should be Best, Murray, Conan , Kearney Larmour to name just a few and others because they have not played or are returning from injury are susceptible to picking up new ones Earls , Sexton, Henshaw etc.
I would actually wrap JVF in bubblewrap as OS is a potential weakness for us with Leavy injured but regardless can’t wait and forgetting provincial rivalries I hope all have stormers!!!
Is it just me or does many of the Irish squad looked to have trimmed down a few kgs? Aki definitely the most noticeable as maybe a hint that were planning on playing a more running game with the warm dry weather in Japan
@Éamann Ó Duinn: I had that same thought and was talking about with people. You noticed straight away in the English match. So, hopefully as Eddie O says” it pays dividends “ in Japan. Eire Abu !!!!!
@Fitz Mac: Especially compared to England’s Islander players plus I think the white jerseys makes them look bulkier. New Zealand and Australia trimmed down a bit at the last world cup so hoping Ireland get similar results.
Great to see both Stockdale and O’ Mahony rested completely. They are needed 100% for Scotland