OK. What?
Manchester United’s Ander Herrera didn’t have the best game of his life against Real Madrid but, regardless, supporters are not jumping to the conclusion that the club should get rid of him.
The midfielder was withdrawn after an hour of United’s Super Cup defeat to the Champions League holders and nobody panicked because even the most typically reliable of players can have an off-night.
But, over on Irish television, the boldest of statements was being issued by pundit Kenny Cunningham, a former Republic of Ireland international.
As he reviewed the 90 minutes of action in the RTÉ studio, Cunningham suggested that Herrera simply did not have the quality to be a first team player at Old Trafford.
Not only that but Cunningham’s pick for who manager Jose Mourinho should pursue in order to replace the Spaniard was nothing short of baffling.
“They’ve got a problem in central midfield,” Cunningham started. “If Mourinho commits himself to playing 4-3-3, we know Matic is the right man in that deep midfield position and Pogba is going to play.
“Herrera, for me, is not up to it. He’s not good enough. He’s a good professional with a big heart. He’s a decent player but a good squad player.
“They need better in there. They need a more dynamic, better quality player in that central midfield area.
“Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, at Arsenal, has got a year left on his contract and (Manchester United) should be breaking the bank to bring that type of player to the football club. That would improve them in that area of the pitch.”
It did not go down well.
Kenny Cunningham should be sacked on the spot for claiming United should break the bank to sign Ox-Chamberlain as he's "better than Herrera"
— Dylan Twohig (@DylanTwohig) August 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/PaulDelaney16/status/895023996655325184
https://twitter.com/whatrobdidnext/status/895024270165913603
Oxlade-Chamberlain a better option than Herrera!?! He's not even a central midfielder? Cunningham is a wind up merchant.
— David Butler (@Mr_David_Butler) August 8, 2017
Kenny Cunningham doesn't actually think Oxlade Chamberlain is better than Herrera does he?? What a fucking numpty.
— Oisin O Domhnaill (@OisinODomhnaill) August 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/lukas_haskins/status/895024472717221888
Kenny Cunningham: Herrera for me is not good enough
Darren Maloney: He got player of the season last year..
Kenny Cunningham: I don't care.. pic.twitter.com/ec7jH3fQL4— James O’Callaghan (@James_OC_) August 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/Head54/status/895027204203085824
