• Premier League

Herrera eager for home debut

ESPN staff
August 12, 2014
Ander Herrera is set to feature against Valencia on Tuesday night © Getty Images
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Ander Herrera says he "can't wait" to make his first appearance in a Manchester United shirt at Old Trafford.

The midfielder joined the former Premier League champions from Athletic Bilbao for £28.8 million in June, and helped United record five wins from as many games on their US pre-season tour.

Herrera and fellow summer signing Luke Shaw are set to play their first games in Manchester as United players when Valencia visit Old Trafford on Tuesday in what will also be new manager Louis van Gaal's home debut.

"I know it's the Theatre of Dreams and I want to play there now, I can't wait. Things went well in America but we want to do the same in front of our supporters," Herrera told MUTV.

"I am really looking forward to the match. I know it's a friendly but I really want to win it. I played against Valencia a lot during my time in Spain, they always want to keep the ball and traditionally they are an offensive team and have just won the Emirates Cup, so it will be a good challenge for us."

Herrera played for Bilbao at Old Trafford in 2012 as the Spanish club beat United 5-3 on aggregate in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Juan Mata, who played for Valencia before joining Chelsea in 2011, is set to face his former club and Herrera added: "It will be [particularly] special for Juan because he was at Valencia when he first started to play in the first division in Spain. It will be a big game for him but of course he wants a United win. We all do."

Left-back Shaw, who joined from Southampton £27m, said it will be "a dream come true" to play at Old Trafford for his new club.

"To know it's going to be my home ground is something special," he told MUTV. "I can't wait to get my first touch on the pitch just to relish it."

United only finished seventh last season but Shaw has set his sights on a swift return to the top of the table.

He added: "We want to win the Premier League. Obviously there is no Champions League for us this season, so the main focus is on the Premier League and we all cannot wait to get started."

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