Valverde expects Herrera to stay

01 September 2013 16:31

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde does not expect midfielder Ander Herrera to join Manchester United, despite leaving the player out of his side for Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid.

Herrera was the subject of a bid from the Premier League champions during the week, which was rejected by the Basque club.

Herrera had started both of Athletic's league games this season - against Real Valladolid and Osasuna - but played no part in the game at the Bernabeu, with Mikel Rico starting instead.

But speaking after the game, Valverde was adamant the bid from David Moyes' side was not related to his decision to leave Herrera out of his team.

"It had nothing to do with the bid from Manchester United, I left him out because I chose the players I thought were best suited to the game," he told a press conference.

"I'm not thinking about speaking to him to convince him about anything and I'm not worried about anything else.

"I haven't spoken with the player but what I'm going to repeat is that I don't expect the club to make any moves in the transfer market tomorrow (Monday).

"I do not know what will happen. I want Ander to stay with us, and that is what I think, expect will happen."

Asked why he thought Herrera would stay, he responded: "It would be harder to explain why I thought he was going to leave."

Before the match, Valverde declared during a pre-match press conference that Herrera was fit to play against Madrid.

Source: PA