Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has discussed the differences between his former manager Louis van Gaal and his current boss Jose Mourinho, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Van Gaal was appointed as United manager back in 2014 but was dismissed over the summer after failing to secure UEFA Champions League football. The former Real Madrid and Porto manager Jose Mourinho replaced the Dutchman as United manager.
Per-the-source, Herrera admits both managers are disciplinarians however, says he and his teammates are enjoying more freedom under Mourinho.
The Spanish midfielder has also stated that the Portuguese tactician encourages him to get forward more than his predecessor did.
“Mourinho encourages me to do it,” Herrera was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.
“I scored recently in the cup and I have hit the post [against Northampton] from long-range too.
“Mourinho gives you more freedom as a player; he wants the player’s instinct to come through. It’s true that you then have to have that defensive order but he tells us to let that if that instinct guides us on the pitch then we should try things.
“It’s been difficult to get back because this is the fifth season since the Olympics.
“I’m overjoyed because I have fought hard for it. I know that in the two years under Van Gaal I was not in the United team enough to be called up.
“Now with Mourinho I’m feeling good. He is putting faith in me and giving me that chance to play regularly in a top side. Now I have to show that I deserve to stay in the United XI and deserve to keep getting the call to join the Spain squad.”
Manchester United currently find themselves in sixth place in the Premier League, five points behind leader’s Manchester City. Mourinho’s side face a tough test in their upcomming clash with in-form rivals Liverpool on October 17.
The Reds are unbeaten in their last seven games and come into the derby on a four game winning streak.