Manchester United saw their Premier League top four hopes take a hit when they could only muster a 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Red Devils had a chance to get back into the Champions League qualification positions with victory over Eddie Howe’s side, but Marcos Rojo’s opener was cancelled out by Josh King’s penalty just before half time.

And although the Cherries were reduced to ten-men just before the break when Andrew Surman was given his marching orders, Jose Mourinho’s men couldn’t find a way past Artur Boruc, who made a fine save to deny Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the penalty spot in the second period.

It means that United remain sixth in the table, three points behind Liverpool in fourth, and despite still two months of the season to play, attentions have already turned to potential summer transfer business United could carry out.

However, it is someone already on the books that United are hoping to tie down to a new deal this summer, with it looking like midfielder Ander Herrera will have his stay at Old Trafford lengthened by manager Mourinho.

The Spanish international has been outstanding for the Red Devils this term, and here are THREE reasons why sorting out his contract is more important than any other potential deal this summer…

Player of Season so far?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have something to say about it, but there’s a case for Ander Herrera being Manchester United’s Player of the Season so far.

The Spaniard wasn’t the first choice in that central midfield area at the start of the campaign, with the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba often preferred, but his display at Liverpool back in October paved the way for a fine season which has seen him become the main man in the middle for the Red Devils.

The 27-year-old is excellent defensively, be it in the tackle or his awareness of opposition attacks and movement, and has also had a hand in six goals this term, netting in the League Cup, and laying on three assists in the Premier League, one in the Europa League, and one in the League Cup final.

Clearly, Herrera has been outstanding for United this term, which makes it even more important for the club to tie him down to a new deal in the summer.

Helps make United tick in middle

At the start of the campaign, many felt that it was Michael Carrick that helped make United tick in the midfield, and for the most part this term, he and Herrera have been the best midfield partnership.

However, Carrick has somewhat struggled in the last few weeks, three times he has been replaced at half time by Mourinho, which suggests that it could be Spanish international Herrera who is now the main man in the United midfield.

The 27-year-old has started 20 of United’s 26 Premier League games this term, and has often been one of their highest performing stars on any given matchday, with both his defensive and offensive ability of great importance to the balance of the Red Devils midfield.

Clearly, he and Carrick are an integral partnership and one United need to utilise over the coming months, and indeed into the next few seasons.

He could be the long-term replacement for Carrick

Michael Carrick has been at Old Trafford since 2006, and he is just as important to the team now as he was when he joined from Spurs over a decade ago.

The former England international has played 444 times for the Red Devils in that time, winning five Premier League titles, an FA Cup crown, and the Champions League back in 2008.

However, at the age of 35, time is running out on Carrick’s United career, and it’s arguable that it is beginning to catch up on him already, given that he has been replaced at half time in three of his last seven starts.

Yet, they arguably have a ready-made replacement in Herrera.

He may not be as calm a figure as Carrick, but he has all the attributes to be that midfield general that the Englishman has been over the last ten years or so.

While Herrera has more attacking qualities than Carrick, which perhaps could be wasted in the more defensive role, his control of the middle, his ball retention, and positional awareness are all important qualities to have in that role.

Carrick is arguably irreplaceable, yet Herrera is probably the closest thing United have to him at present, and as such must be tied down to a new deal this summer.