During a recent press conference, José Mourinho addressed why Ander Herrera was left out of the squad. According to the Manchester United manager, there was no particular reason behind Herrera’s absence. “We’ve been playing with a double midfield pivot,” Mourinho explained. “Both Pogba and Matic have performed exceptionally well, and there’s been no reason to change the setup.”
In fact, Herrera only featured in one match where the team adopted a three-man midfield formation. For today’s match, United reverted to a two-man midfield system, and Mourinho opted to place Carrick and Fellaini on the bench. “They were both crucial for us last season,” he noted. Fans tracking squad rotations through the Melbet APK have seen how squad depth has made matchday decisions increasingly unpredictable.
Mourinho emphasized that all players must be prepared—whether they are on the field or not. “Look at Ashley Young,” he added. “He wasn’t even on the bench last game, and now he’s started and played the full 90 minutes.” This level of rotation is part and parcel of managing a deep squad with high expectations. With new tactical setups and fierce competition for starting spots, surprises are bound to happen. Mourinho warned that more unexpected omissions may occur in upcoming games—players you assume will start may not even feature at all.
Herrera, who was voted United’s MVP last season, has seen limited opportunities so far. In fact, he didn’t even make the squad list for the club’s Champions League opener, raising eyebrows among supporters and analysts alike. However, Mourinho made it clear that such decisions are not personal. “We have a big squad now, and everyone has to be ready for rotation,” he said. “It’s not about Herrera—it’s just the reality of a team with this much talent.”
Supporters using the Melbet APK to follow United’s season can expect more dynamic lineups in the coming weeks. Whether Herrera will reclaim his spot remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—competition is fierce, and no player’s position is guaranteed. As the campaign unfolds, the Melbet APK remains a go-to platform for tracking every lineup twist and turn.