(Manchester United News)
Ander Herrera feels Wayne Rooney's leadership skills are helping to inspire Manchester United ahead of the run-in.
The club captain gave a passionate speech to the squad following the disappointing FA Cup exit to Arsenal and it had the desired impact with top-drawer performances accounting for Tottenham and Liverpool in two tough Barclays Premier League outings.
When asked by United Review
if Rooney's words had a galvanising effect, in-form Herrera replied: "Yes, it always has an impact. Wayne Rooney is our leader. He is maybe the strongest guy - not only physically, but also mentally. I think we in the squad are following him always. He is our captain, our leader and our [biggest] character. I think he shows very, very well what Manchester United is."
Herrera and Rooney's next assignment with the Reds is to take on an improving Aston Villa at Old Trafford. The Spanish midfielder is mindful that the Midlands club halted United's six-match winning streak when the sides drew 1-1 on 20 December. "We didn't win at Villa Park so we have to respect them," he added. "They want to stay in the Premier League but we want to keep winning games so it's going to be very difficult. However, we are Manchester United and we have to go for the victory from the off."
Herrera is also wary of the impact a compatriot has had since joining Villa in January. "He [Carles Gil] is a dangerous player because he plays on the right but has very high quality and can cut in and shoot. But we have to be aware of all the Aston Villa players."
