Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera opened up and told the media about the training routines Red Devils player go through at the Carrington training ground before matches. As you would expect, given the “Iron Tulip” reputation of notorious hard-liner Louis van Gaal, the training sessions are more competitive under him than under his predecessor David Moyes.
Wayne Rooney said so recently, and Ander Herrera reflected that statement in a feature article in the Manchester Evening News.
Ander Herrera reveals how United prepare for matchdays under Louis van Gaal https://t.co/avo84ztQZ9 #mufc pic.twitter.com/iEWdgSP719
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) December 6, 2014
“I enjoy the sessions the day before a game because we work on ball possession, shooting and set-plays,” the Basque said. “It’s a good day.”
“All the mini matches are important because the coaches are always looking at us before each game.
“We have a very competitive squad – we always want to win in matches or training. I think this is the right tactic because you play like you train.”
Having won four in a row, all that training is really paying off as Ander Herrera and company are truly rounding into form right now. They are starting to hit their stride heading into a HUGE clash versus third place Southampton Monday night. If United at emerge victorious at St. Mary’s, they would ascend from fourth place to third place, and be just 8 points behind table setter Chelsea.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2