Ander Herrera breaks down in TEARS as he opens up about his ‘painful’ departure from Manchester United in 2019

Ander Herrera broke down in tears while discussing his departure from former club Manchester United, claiming he expects more from the club.

Herrera has revealed he found his departure from United “painful” as he was anticipating an offer from his club to extend his stay at the Red Devils, which coincided with victories in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Europa League.

The former United favorite, who backed Marcus Rashford to become a club legend, arrived under Louis van Gaal in 2014 before joining PSG on a free transfer five years later and returning to Athletic Bilbao in 2022.

Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera was moved to tears as he spoke about his departure from the club

The Spanish midfielder spent five seasons at Old Trafford, winning the FA Cup and Europa League

“Leaving, it was difficult because six months earlier, five months earlier, I was expecting this offer for me to stay,” Herrera said on the UTD podcast.

“I don’t want to, it’s not the moment to talk bad about anyone and I won’t do it either, but after my third season at the club I expected a little more from the club back then.

“I won the Player of the Season award from the fans and the club didn’t call me to sign a new contract this summer and they did it to other players, which was painful for me.

Herrera was allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2019, joining Ligue 1 titans PSG for three seasons

“I think I deserved (a contract extension) but they didn’t and after the conditions changed because I wasn’t happy with that little moment of the club.

Herrera has 20 goals and 27 assists in 189 appearances

“I’m so grateful, but that was painful at the end of season three. Three titles, player of the year and they didn’t call me over the summer so I was feeling a bit down.

Herrera was one of the club’s key performers at a time when they were struggling to regain their status not just in English football but in European football as a whole.

He played 189 games for the Red Devils, scoring 20 goals and providing 27 assists from defensive midfield.

The decision to allow the player a free departure came under scrutiny as the Spaniard was a key player not only for Van Gaal but also for Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during their respective tenures at Old Trafford.

Herrera admitted he was later offered a new deal at the club but the midfielder’s damage had already been done by that point.

“And after that they called me when I had a year left on my contract and things just weren’t right for me,” he added.

“I fight for the club until the last day, no problem at all, I honored my contract until the last day.

“But they didn’t come at the right moment in my opinion and in the opinion of my agent and also in the opinion of my family.”

And when asked if he was emotional on his last day at Old Trafford, he said: ‘I remember that last day at Old Trafford, I still have a picture with my daughter so yeah that was it’ before breaking down in tears and walking away to compose himself.

The defensive midfielder was a constant performer under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho before him