The Athletic Bilbao manager has said that Herrera will remain at the club despite his decision to keep the midfielder on the bench for Bilbao’s game against Real Madrid.
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Athletic Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde expects Ander Herrera to remain with the club and reject the opportunity to move to Manchester United, Goal.com reports.
The 24 year old was left out of Bilbao’s game with Real Madrid on Sunday, prompting speculation that the midfielder could be about to move to the Premier League Champions.
However, speaking after Bilbao’s 3-1 defeat to Madrid, Valverde explained that Herrera’s omission from the squad was tactical and he also said that doesn’t expect the midfielder to leave before Monday’s transfer deadline.
“It had nothing to do with the bid from Manchester United, I left him out because I chose the players I thought were best suited to the game,” he said after the match at Santiago Bernabeu.
“I’m not thinking about speaking to him to convince him about anything and I’m not worried about anything else.
“I haven’t spoken with the player but what I’m going to repeat is that I don’t expect the club to make any moves in the transfer market tomorrow”.
Manchester United manager David Moyes has switched his attentions to Herrera in the last couple of days, having failed in his pursuit of Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas.
The Red Devils had a £25.5 million bid for Herrera rejected on Thursday but reports suggest that United will return with an improved £30 million bid that could activate the 24 year olds buy-out clause.