Get the day's biggest United stories delivered straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Ander Herrera was jubilant after scoring his second goal on Saturday.

But after hugging his nearby teammates, the former Athletic player broke away to share a hug with the man who set him up: Juan Mata.

If that embrace wasn't enough to convince of their friendship, Mata had high praise in his blog on Monday.

"Two more goals from Ander," he wrote.

"I think this is the first time he scores twice in a game and I’m very happy for him!

"The truth is he deserves it. He is a genius on and off the pitch and I know how happy he was after the game."

The two players have plenty in common.

Big money signings for Manchester United's midfield, the Spanish stars are happy to engage with fans and community work, and come across as thoroughly likeable individuals off the field.

Herrera said as much in the match programme on Saturday, admitting: "I'm very happy. Even when I was not playing, I was also happy. I am at Manchester United. I feel really lucky to be here.

"I feel really good at United and I hope to stay here for a long time.

"The manager has to decide who is playing or not but we have to respect always the decision he makes. The manager wants the best for the team, the best for us and we have to follow him always."

But while all is rosy at the minute, both have spent more time off the field this season than they - and supporters - would have liked.

Herrera - not helped by injuries - has only made 12 league starts while Mata was not selected for two months between January and March.

As for playing in the same XI, they have only lined up together seven times.

Looking at their record together only adds to the puzzle over why - Herrera's injuries aside - their playing time has been so restricted this season.

Herrera and Mata when they have started together in the league 7 Games 7 Goals 4 Assists

However you want to look at it the two have played well.

Three of those matches have been United's most recent: wins over Spurs, Liverpool and Villa.

Mata's brace - with a Herrera assist - gave United the win at Anfield, while the stats were reversed for the Villa game.

In the seven games they have started together, Mata and Herrera have seven goals and four assists between them, earning seven points for United with those contributions alone.

Overall the team has taken 16 out of a possible 21 when the two have played together, with Herrera suffering from injuries in the only two games the Reds did not win (Swansea at home and West Brom away).

United in the league when Herrera and Mata start 7 Games 16 Points +10 Goal difference

Delving closer into the numbers, the duo have been heavily involved in United's play aside from their goals and assists.

Against Villa, four of United's top five passing combinations involved one or both player. The same is true for the Liverpool game. Against Spurs they featured in the top three.

Ignoring the stats completely, Mata and Herrera have been involved for some of the highest points of United's season.

That 4-0 home win against QPR was the first to feature all of United's summer signings, and also the first victory for Van Gaal at Old Trafford.

A 2-1 win against Stoke came early in the long unbeaten run between November and January, and preceded six points from Southampton and Liverpool.

The last three games, starting with Spurs, have been doubly satisfying. The results have put United firmly on course for a top four finish, where before the situation looked messy.

And the performances have reignited supporter enthusiasm for Van Gaal's infamous philosophy and the team going forward.

The manager had high praise for Herrera on Saturday and hopefully the message will stick. Picking both happy Spaniards in the United team looks a decent way to keep the smiles at Old Trafford, on and off the pitch.

MORE:

See how fans rated Mata and Herrera for their performance in the Villa game.