Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has sent his backing to Ander Herrera after the latter opened up about his exit from Old Trafford.
Having joined from Athletic Bilbao in 2014, Herrera left United in 2019 and signed for Paris Saint-Germain. Now back at the Basque club on loan, the 33-year-old spoke to the club's official podcast about the pain he felt at not being offered a new contract despite being a fans' favourite.
"To leave, it was difficult because six months before, five months before, I was expecting that offer for me to stay," Herrera said in the interview in which he broke down in tears. "It's not the moment to talk bad about anyone and I am not going to do it.
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"But after my third season with the club I expected a little bit more from the club at that time. I got the Player of the Year award by the fans and the club didn't call me that summer to sign a new contract, and they did with other players.
"That was painful for me, honestly. I think I deserved it and they didn't do it.
"After, the conditions changed because I was not happy with that little moment with the club. People go through the club but the club and the badge stays the same, so I could never say one bad word about the club because I am so, so thankful. But that was a little bit painful.
"At the end of the third season, three titles, Player of the Year, and they didn't call me in the summer, so I was feeling a bit down. And after, they called me when I had one year left on the contract and the things, they were not right for me.
"I fight for the club until the last day, no problem at all, I respected my contract until the last day. But they didn't come at the right moment, in my opinion, and in my agent's opinion, and in my family's opinion as well."
Following the podcast revelations, De Gea took to Twitter to send his support to his former teammate. In a tweet, he wrote: "Once a Red, always a Red," accompanied by a red heart emoji.
Herrera made 189 appearances for United, scoring 20 goals and notching 27 assists.
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