Ander Herrera says he does not yet deserve to be talked about as a future Manchester United captain.

The midfielder was named the club's Player of the Year on Thursday night after becoming a key part of Jose Mourinho's team this season. With doubts about the long-term future of current captain Wayne Rooney, Herrera has been talked about as a possible successor.

But, the Spain international, 27, insists he needs to do more before he can be considered for the job.

"I am very thankful when I hear that from the fans but, we say in Spain, they are massive words," Herrera told ESPN FC. "The captains of this club are legends. The current one is Wayne Rooney but also Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Nemanja Vidic.

"It is a list of amazing players and legends of the club. I prefer to keep calm and to keep my mind calm because I feel that I still have to do more for the club.

"I still have to win things for the club to deserve that. So I will keep calm. We also have some experienced players on the team who have been here longer like Chris Smalling, David De Gea, also Juan [Mata] came before me.

Ander Herrera was named Manchester United's player of the season on Thursday. Press Association

"So I am thankful to the fans for thinking that about me but I don't want to think about it yet."

Only David De Gea and Paul Pogba has made more appearances for United than Herrera this season.

He is set to enter the final year of the four-year contract he signed when he arrived at Old Trafford from Athletic Bilbao in 2014. United are expected to start talks over a new deal this summer. And Herrera has not ruled out spending the rest of his career in Manchester.

He added: "To finish your career in this club you have to perform every season and it's not so easy.

"I think a lot of players have the qualify to make a very good season but the most difficult thing is the consistency. I am still 27.

"Hopefully one day you can compare me with legends of the club but you cannot do it yet. I have to perform for a long time for the biggest and the greatest club in England so it's not so easy."