Manchester United’s 2016-17 Naughty or Nice list

NICE – Ander Herrera

Arguably United’s best player so far this season, Ander Herrera has given Mourinho a much-needed boost in a midfield area the Portuguese boss was struggling to sort out at the start of the campaign.

The 27-year-old was in and out of the side at the beginning of the season as Mourinho attempted to find his best fit in that position, yet a few decent displays followed by a man-of-the-match performance against Liverpool saw him become United’s first-choice in that defensive midfield position.

And, since then, he has gone from strength to strength, be it alongside Michael Carrick or Paul Pogba in that role.

Herrera is dependable defensively as well as a threat going forward, illustrated by his three assists in his last eight games, but it’s his guile and tenacity which makes him so difficult to play against.

It has been an excellent season from the Spanish international thus far.