ANDER HERRERA will leave Manchester United at the end of the season, the club confirmed in a farewell video on Twitter.
The midfielder’s contract expired this summer and the Red Devils decided not to extend it.
He spent five seasons at Old Trafford, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League and won the club’s prestigious Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award in 2016/17.
But the Spaniard, 29, is now set to join Paris Saint-Germain for free.
The emotional video shows some of his highlights from the last five years combined with Herrera making a journey through Manchester to Old Trafford.
He said: “There is red in my heart.
“I knew it from the first time I played here and in the moment that I started to wear it.
“A club with thousands of fans that respect and remember all the players who give everything.
Every time I represented this club, in every game, in wins and losses, even when I couldn’t help from the grass, I understood what this club means.
Ander Herrera
“I felt special when I heard my name chanted.
“I felt proud when the fans decided I was part of this incredible history.
“Every time I represented this club, in every game, in wins and losses, even when I couldn’t help from the grass, I understood what this club means.
“I am going to remember each of the almost 200 matches that I have played with this jersey because playing for the greatest club in England has been a true honour.
“Thanks for these five amazing years.”
Herrera shared the Manchester United tweet and added: “I could never express enough gratitude.”
The midfielder will have the chance to say goodbye to Old Trafford tomorrow when Manchester United take on Cardiff in the final game of the season – club captain Antonio Valencia will also bid farewell.
But while Herrera’s confirmed departure is no surprise, plenty of United supporters wrote messages of thanks and sadness in response to the video.
One wrote: “Thank you for everything Ander. We all love you. Some great moments with you in that shirt. Your attitude has always been professional and you have given back to the fans, always.
“Wish you good luck for your future endeavours. You will always be a fellow Red.”
Another said: “Goodbye you wonderful man One of the only players who got what it meant to be a united player Thank you!!”
A third added: “The only passionate player in the team is now gone.”
And someone replied: “They actually let the people’s captain go, I can’t believe it.”
User @philstandish tweeted: “Absolutely gutted. This should not be happening. This is not the way we start our rebuild.
“I hope there’s a massive boost around the corner because this is gut wrenching! Absolutely loved this guy, his character, style of play, passion… Wore the shirt with pride!”
Others vented their frustration at the club’s board for allowing Herrera to leave for nothing.
One wrote: “That’s it lads, keep paying Alexis £500K a week and let one of our best midfielders leave for free. Great work.”
Another chipped in: “Ed Woodward you had one job.”
