Ander Herrera pays tribute to Manchester United team-mate as one of best in history

Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney both scored against Everton as United got their mojo back

ANDER HERRERA hailed club captain Wayne Rooney as England's greatest ever after he led Manchester United to a 3-0 victory over his former club Everton.

 

Rooney scored United's third, his first goal at Goodison Park since 2007, to put his side into third place in the Premier League and signal his own return to goal-scoring form.

Herrera, also on the scoresheet with his ninth Premier League strike, like his manager, believes Rooney can now kick on and help the Red Devils mount a serious title challenge.

"Wayne is our leader," said Herrera. "He is the best English player in English history and we are lucky to have him. 

"When he fights like he did today we can be very proud of him. He has always helped me a lot.

"When I have played [like that] I think I can be happy. You always have to give everything and I did that. But if I want to be a top player I have to play like this always."

The win over Everton comes nearly two weeks after United's last outing, when Arsene Wenger's Arsenal produced a brilliant display at the Emirates to overcome Louis van Gaal's men 3-0.

A reversal of that scoreline against the Toffees offered some welcome redemption, but Herrera knows one win means nothing in the context of a season.

"If we want to be champions then this is not enough," added Herrera.

 

"We have to keep on playing like this. Now we have to play against Man City in the Premier League [on Sunday] and if we want to be the champions then we have to keep playing like this.

"This was the way we had to react after Arsenal. The first 25 minutes were fantastic. We controlled the game and created chances. We didn't let them play and they are a good team. 

"So we can be proud, we can be happy but we don't have too much time to enjoy it."

 

The Spaniard was making only his third Premier League start of the season, as the summer signing of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger has made central midfield a much more competitive place to play.

At 26 years old, the former Athletic Bilbao man might be forgiven for frustration at not being able to play every week, but Herrera appreciates that he has the chance to learn from some of the best in the world.

"When the club buy new players you have to take advantage of it," Herrera said. 

"It is good for me and the club. When the club sign top players it is a challenge and you have to gain from it.

"Morgan and me can learn a lot from Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Morgan and I are very similar players."