Not much about Manchester United so far this summer has been wholly convincing.

Their link up play has looked disjointed and Wayne Rooney toils in front of goal. Perhaps a simple look to the substitute’s bench can change the fortunes of the Red Devils, rather than spending an eye watering sum on a new player.

Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera has never truly seemed to have the complete trust of his manager, Louis van Gaal. The £28m signing from Bilbao possesses the necessary energy and creative spark that seems to be missing from the Old Trafford engine room, yet somehow cannot get a game.

Appearing only twice from the bench this season, the 26-year old endured a similar tale last year. Unable to truly cement a place under the Dutchman, certain sections of the United faithful started a #FreeHerrera campaign last year, in order to see him return to the first team.

The goalless draw against Newcastle and narrow victories over Tottenham and Aston Villa were exactly the sort of fixtures calling out for the maverick Spaniard. His ability to drive forward from the middle of the park and split a defence with a pinpoint pass is exactly what his side are currently missing.

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Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schniederlin offer a more disciplined approach in the middle of the park, unlikely to make a gut-busting run. The Red Devils appear to be plodding along at one pace, lacking the dynamism their excellent exclusion provides in abundance.

The side’s best period of football post Sir Alex Ferguson came as Herrera began to appear in the first team more often. He was a key component in the run that saw Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City trounced.

His bromance with compatriot Juan Mata creates a silky, dynamic and energetic alternative to the methodical possession approach than can create monotonous build play.

Perhaps he is not the most tactically apt player in the United engine room. However, similar accusations were levelled at Mata while at Cheslea, and the La Roja star has flourished since his own £37.1m move.

Between January and May last year, he chipped in with four goals and six assists – endearing himself to fans. With a new striker looking increasingly unlikely to be arriving, surely he can help lift some of the burden that appears to be dogging Wayne Rooney.

The inclusion of Adnan Januzaj over the Basque maestro speaks volumes about his place in the pecking order. The talented Belgian hadn’t started a game in half a year, yet is the preferred choice.

While van Gaal’s side plod along slowly, the Spaniard in the shadows is exactly the cure. Having already proved his ability towards the back end of last year, his exclusion from the side is boggling the minds of fans and pundits alike.

The sooner Herrera gets back into the side, the sooner we will see a more dynamic and energetic Manchester United.

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