Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Manchester United's Ander Herrera open to Real Zaragoza return

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has said he hopes to return to Real Zaragoza for a second spell before he retires.

Herrera started his career with Real's B side before spending two seasons in the main Zaragoza side.

He then moved on to Athletic Bilbao before joining United for £28.8 million last summer.

But the 25-year-old hopes his career will come full circle and take him back to La Romerada, telling Marca: "I have the hope of returning to play here."

Herrera will be a supporter at Sunday's playoff game against Las Palmas as Zaragoza try to secure a return to La Liga.

And he added: "I am not going to be in a box. I will be in the stands waiting to see a triumph of Zaragoza. You always look at what is making the team."

Herrera, who has three more years left on his current contract, scored six goals in his first season at Old Trafford, helping United finish fourth in the Premier League.

The Spain international also spoke about United manager Louis van Gaal, saying: "He is a very demanding person, very special.

"He is a good guy, and it's true people could think that, for the image he gives off, that he is a difficult person. But he is good deep down.

"It is hard working with him, and the club is also in a reconstruction phase, with many changes, and he has shown a strong hand and character. In the end, it worked as the team ended up again where everyone wanted it to be."

Regarding his absence from the latest Spain squad, Herrera said: "It's true that I hoped to be in there. Maybe in those five minutes after the squad was announced, I was a bit disappointed.

"From there, I thought about resting and, that will be good for me in the long term. I always look for the positive side of things, and I have more time now to rest on my holidays.

"It is a dream I have, because we would all like it, but I am not down about it. I am already thinking about next year's Premier League, that we will fight to win it."

Dermot Corrigan contributed to this report

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