Throughout Louis van Gaal’s time at Manchester United, fans constantly implored the Iron Tulip to look to one man. Ander Herrera.

The Basque midfielder endeared himself to the Old Trafford faithful quickly with his terrier-like performances on the pitch and charisma off it.

He had to bide his time under Van Gaal but has been reborn under Jose Mourinho and has made himself an integral part of the Special One’s improving United side.

He’s been in imperious form of late in particular and his stats of late are just insanely impressive.

Ander Herrera has made more interceptions (19) in the opponent's half than any other player in the Premier League this season. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/w3fcaF8qDm — Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 11, 2017

Up against the best of his ilk in the division, his performances this season seem all the more impressive. Potter against Ngolo Kante, Jordan Henderson, Nemanja Matic and Fernandinho in Squawka’s Comparison Matrix, the former Bilbao man leads in every single one of the following.

Interceptions

Blocks

Clearances

Total Duels %

Aerial Duels %

Pass Completion

Possession Score

Key Passes

Chances Created

And all this against the man widely regarded as this season’s best signing and massively influential in both Leicester’s success last season and Chelsea’s invariable title win this campaign.

What’s most impressive about Herrera is his consistency. Throughout United’s stellar run of victories recently, he was immense, during their recent run of draws as his side’s stars lost their form, he was even better. Were it not for him, those draws could have been season-ending losses.

He’s unquestionably become Manchester United’s most important player but his showings in recent months have propelled him into the discussion as to who is now the Premier League’s best midfielder.

Rory Murphy, Pundit Arena

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