Ander Herrera

New Manchester United signing Ander Herrera has revealed that while Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona used to be his childhood hero now his "mirror" is Barcelona maestro Andres Iniesta.

Questions were raised in the summer over the Spaniard's €36m price-tag, but the former Athletic Bilbao midfielder showed his special talent during Louis van Gaal first game at Manchester United, leading his side to a 7-0 victory over LA Galaxy and picking up the Man of the Match award.

Goals from Danny Welbeck and braces from Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young and youngster Reece James eventually gave Van Gaal the victory but it was Herrera who dictated the game from midfield despite his diminutive stature.

Just before the game he was interviewed by MUTV where he revealed where he honed his skills.

"You always see the best players in the world and I always watched Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane and, while he was at Real Zaragoza, Gustavo Poyet, who is now the Sunderland coach," Ander said.

"Now, maybe my mirror is Andres Iniesta, not only for football and what he does on the pitch but also because he is a good person. I wish, one day, I could be similar to him."

Continuing on his admiration for former United legend Cantona, he added: "I liked his character, he was a winner and always worked hard. He never lost one ball and was always thinking about the victory. This group of players [at United] has those same characteristics. We always want to win, we want to play well for the Man United supporters and Eric Cantona had those characteristics. Of course, he had personality too.

"But it was not only Cantona who had personality; Ryan Giggs as well, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. United do not only sign good players, but workers as well. United sign people who work hard, train hard and who are good professionals. It is a dream for me to be here because this history is very big and now I have the chance to play here. I have the possibility to show my own character for United."

Asked about his favourite position, he said: "I have always played in midfield. Sometimes with Ernesto Valverde, who was my last coach, I played on the left or the right, but I think my best place is in midfield. But if Louis van Gaal in one moment wants another thing then I can play wherever he wants.

"I think I can play better as an attacking midfielder but I can defend as well. If we defend together, if we are a compact team, then we will win the games. If we run, if we work like a humble team then we will play like the biggest team."

Louis van Gaal