Manchester United: Ander Herrera tells Spains boss he deserves to be in the European Championship

Manchester United star Ander Herrera has sent a plea to Spain's boss Vicente Del Bosque ahead of the summer European Championship claiming he "has the quality to be in the national team". The former Athletic Bilbao midfielder says he is aware his country has probably "the best midfielders in the world right now", but refused to give up on his dream as is it the "next step" in his career following his big-money move to Old Trafford in the summer of 2014.

The 26-year-old midfielder was a crucial member for Spain at youth level alongside his current teammates Juan Mata and David De Gea. He was also vital to the under-21 side who clinched the European Championships in 2011, and played in his country's disappointing 2012 Olympic campaign. However, the United midfielder has failed so far to attract the same attention of Del Bosque and is yet to make his debut for the national first team.

Following the international retirement of Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso after the 2014 World Cup, Herrera was expected to have a chance to prove his worth with Spain. Del Bosque, however, has opted instead for other versatile midfielders to fill the gap of the duo's legend such as Chelsea's Cesc Fàbregas, Atletico Madrid's Koke, Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla and Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcântara.

Herrera, nevertheless, is desperate to prove Del Bosque he is worthy to join the team and refuses to throw the towel just yet.

"Of course, I wish for it," Herrera told MUTV. "It's the next step for me. When you arrive at Manchester United, you are now in the biggest club with the best supporters and maybe the most followed club in the world.

"Last season, I think I had a good season. The fans were happy with me and the manager as well. Of course, I can play well or I can play badly, but I always give my best and I think I am doing well enough to get into the national squad. It's my next step.

"I know we have, in Spain, maybe the best midfielders in the world right now, but I think I have the quality to be in the national team. I will fight for it. I fought last season for that and I am trying to do it again. I think I have the quality to be in it and I am showing that."

Herrera has suffered up and downs at Old Trafford since his summer arrival in 2014. He ended last season in an impressive way, but the start of the new campaign has not been as good as expected both due to some fitness problems and the arrivals of both Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. The Spaniard, who also can play as a number 10, is aware that his form at United will be crucial in his options to fulfil his European Championship's dreams.

"I think I am ready to help the team [at United], help my teammates, and I am going to play wherever the manager wants me to play," he added. "So I am doing the right things to get into the national team but, of course, the [international] manager will decide."

"Of course, it's the next dream, the next step for me. I know it's difficult but I will try to do my best to be involved in the European Championship."