Ander Herrera Reportedly Prepared to Leave Manchester United in January

Ander Herrera is reportedly ready to quit Manchester United in January because of the Red Devils' failure to offer him a new contract.

Sean Kearns of Metro reported the Spain international is disappointed executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has not offered him new terms, prompting him to look for a new club. Coach Jose Mourinho is willing to retain the midfielder has said it is not his job to negotiate with players and their agents, per Kearns:

"I don't belong in the process of discussing deals with the players and negotiations with agents.

"I never did that, it's something that I don't even like to do.

"I would be a bad negotiator; I would give everything to the players. So I don't belong to that."

Herrera has been on the periphery of the first XI during Mourinho's two-year tenure at Old Trafford, but he remains popular among fans at the Theatre of Dreams.

Fred signing in the summer has further reduced the Spaniard's opportunities to play, but Andreas Pereira's retention could be the final straw for Herrera's career in Manchester.

However, Herrera has remained vocal in his love of the club and recently said he would play anywhere for the team after Mourinho used him in a back three during the recent 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Speaking to Stewart Gardner of MUTV (h/t the club's official website), Herrera said his versatility is one of his strengths:

"Personally, it's very important [to play multiple positions] but I think it's even more important for the team. When you want to reach the objectives and win games there is no space for selfishness. You have to try to give what the team needs in every moment. If one day I have to play as a goalkeeper – I hope not but if I'm needed by the team I will do it. That's the way I feel football. When we all put our best in for the best of the team we will be very close to winning games and trophies."

However, Nicholas Godden of The Times highlighted Herrera's deficiencies as a defender:

Herrera's best days at United are over, and Fred and Pereira will be rotated to support Paul Pogba as Nemanja Matic sits deep.

Scott McTominay's presence will further reduce Herrera's minutes, with the 21-year-old providing the type of steadiness Mourinho loves from a central midfielder from the bench.

United fans saw Herrera emerge as a leader during Louis van Gaal's spell in charge, but Matic's signing from Chelsea in 2017 appears to have marked the beginning of the end for the technical Spaniard at Old Trafford.