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Ander Herrera has confirmed Manchester United players are enjoying more freedom under Jose Mourinho than they did under Louis van Gaal.

M.E.N. Sport revealed in July United players expected to have more attacking freedom after working with their new manager for just a week, having found Van Gaal's approach too rigid.

Mourinho has converted Herrera into a holding midfielder, however the Basque has been encouraged to get forward more than he did under the United manager's predecessor.

"Mourinho encourages me to do it," Herrera told El Correo. "I scored recently in the cup and I have hit the post [against Northampton] from long-range too.

"Mourinho gives you more freedom as a player; he wants the player’s instinct to come through. It’s true that you then have to have that defensive order but he tells us to let that if that instinct guides us on the pitch then we should try things."

Herrera received his first proper call-up to the Spain senior squad this month, having previously been involved with the national team at the London 2012 Olympics.

The 27-year-old insists he was never likely to force his way into the Roja squad under Van Gaal and is 'overjoyed' Mourinho has shown so much faith in him.

"It’s been difficult to get back because this is the fifth season since the Olympics," Herrera added. "I’m overjoyed because I have fought hard for it. I know that in the two years under Van Gaal I was not in the United team enough to be called up.

"Now with Mourinho I’m feeling good. He is putting faith in me and giving me that chance to play regularly in a top side. Now I have to show that I deserve to stay in the United XI and deserve to keep getting the call to join the Spain squad."

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