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

Eight months on from their disastrous double act against Liverpool, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini sauntered off the Emirates Stadium pitch as two of United's finest performers in the win against Arsenal.

Eviscerated and exposed by Liverpool's diamond in March, Carrick and Fellaini have transformed from crestfallen to confident under Louis van Gaal and after injury and form triggered doubts over their United careers, both have futures at the club.

The future does not look quite as bright for Ander Herrera at the moment, though.

Unofficially Van Gaal's first signing in June, Herrera cost United £29m but has started just five games. He has adapted commendably to the ferocity of the Premier League for a player accustomed to the tranquility of La Liga, yet he hasn't featured in over a month.

The 25-year-old's lamentable first-half display at West Brom compelled Van Gaal to introduce Fellaini at the break and the Belgian resuscitated his United career just minutes after the pause with his first Reds goal. Herrera has not played since.

Carrick, too, has capitalised on absentees. Firstly, Chris Smalling - through suspension - and then the injured Daley Blind. Carrick displayed remarkable composure at centre-back in the defeat at City and performed well in the wins over Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

Yet Herrera can be forgiven for feeling hard done by. He has offered United a goal threat from midfield - something the Reds have lacked since Paul Scholes was at his zenith - with two neat strikes against Queens Park Rangers and Leicester, and he is a more mobile presence than Carrick, Fellaini or Blind. No United central midfielder has hit the 10-goal mark since Scholes did 10 seasons ago.

Herrera is a steelier presence than he looks, too. United were devoid of steel until Fellaini bundled his way into the club last year and Herrera has offered greater intensity and aggression in an area Sir Alex Ferguson neglected during his final five years at the club.

Suggestions the Basque-born man could be made available five months into a four-year contract seem extreme, however Van Gaal is not renowned for his patience.

Herrera and Luke Shaw were both bought before Van Gaal officially took over at United and the pair have felt the Dutchman's wrath to different degrees.

Shaw was chided for his fitness in pre-season and Herrera has been punished for 45 horrendous minutes at the Hawthorns with a view from the dugout for the last four games.

Despite United's interest in Herrera, his arrival represented a minor surprise. United had installed a new manager since their botched attempt to sign him on transfer deadline day last year and it is difficult to believe Van Gaal, occupied with World Cup preparations, closely monitored an Athletic Bilbao midfielder who had no realistic chance of making Spain's squad.

Van Gaal did decline the opportunity to sign Toni Kroos, a player who would improve any team on the planet, which Herrera should be complimented by.

United's failure to qualify for Europe has accentuated the situation of certain squad players. Adnan Januzaj did not make a first start until late October, Juan Mata is no longer a first-teamer, Darren Fletcher's Old Trafford career is winding down to an end and Robin van Persie could soon be demoted. Herrera is just another frustrated figure.

For just the second time this campaign, Van Gaal will have a midweek fixture to cope with next week. Stoke City travel to Old Trafford three days after Hull visit and Herrera's wait for first-team football might end against either team.

Four of United's five League wins have come by a one-goal margin and the recent successes papered over a distinct lack of incision in the final third.

Palace were compact visitors undone by a deflected Mata breakthrough and only Arsenal's feckless naivety in defence ensured United of a first away win under Van Gaal.

Herrera can sharpen up United's attack.