'I didn't want to leave Man Utd at all – I only went after disagreement with the board'

Ander Herrera opened up about his departure from United and cited differences with the club's hierarchy as one of the main reasons he quit Manchester for Paris

Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera once revealed he didn't want to leave the club - but felt he had to after he had a disagreement with the board.

The Spanish international joined United from Athletic Bilbao in 2014 after he activated a clause in his contract to make a switch to the Red Devils. Herrera became then manager Louis Van Gaal's first signing for the club as he declared his move to the Premier League as a "dream come true".

The midfielder went on to win the FA Cup and League Cup with United as well as the Community Shield and the Europa League in his five year spell with the club. Despite a strong start to his career in Manchester, Herrera later found his first-team opportunities limited after Jose Mourinho took charge at United.

After finding his way back into the first XI under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he left United and joined PSG in July 2019. Herrera, who then enjoyed a period of success at the French giants, later claimed that differing opinions with United's hierarchy heavily contributed to his move to Paris.

While he declined to go into detail about the supposed disagreement, Herrera claimed that he still had the utmost respect for United. He also stated that disputes in football amongst staff and players is a natural occurrence within the game.

"When I look back a year ago, my intention was not to leave Manchester United," Herrera told ESPN in May 2020. "I had some different opinions with the board but I respect them.

"I respect them a lot. They do things for Manchester United and I disagree with the people who say they don't. They really suffer when things don't go well and they really fight to bring Manchester United back. I disagreed with some of the decisions they made but this happens in football. It happens in every company.

"Apart from that, I respect them. I had a great relationship with (former CEO of United) Ed Woodward and with the owners when they came, so I have nothing to complain about with them."

Herrera's departure from United was clearly a sore spot for the now-35-year-old. Speaking on a United podcast in December 2020, he broke down in tears as he recounted the reasons that saw him leave the club.

Invited on the pod to discuss his exit from Old Trafford, Herrera hinted at dissent amongst the ranks. He also admitted he felt he deserved more from the club after his performances during a strong third season and ultimately revealed how the ordeal was "painful" for him.

“To leave, it was difficult because six months before, five months before, I was expecting that offer for me to stay,” he said.

“It's not the moment to talk bad about anyone and I am not going to do it, but after my third season with the club I expected a little bit more from the club at that time.

"I got the Player of the Year award by the fans and the club didn't call me that summer to sign a new contract, and they did with other players. That was painful for me, honestly."

Herrera made 132 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 12 goals. After his stint in Paris, where he won Ligue 1 on twice and narrowly missed out on winning the Champions League after PSG lost the final to Bayern Munich in 2020, Herrera then headed back to La Liga with Athletic Bilbao where he currently plays his football.

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