Manchester United's infamous transfer mishaps have struck again, with the club's failure to renew Ander Herrera's contract emerging as one of their most costly blunders in recent years.
The Spanish midfielder, who became a fan favourite at Old Trafford, was allowed to leave on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 after United astonishingly failed to trigger a one-year extension clause in his contract.
The Contract That Slipped Through Their Fingers
Herrera's deal included a straightforward option for an additional year, requiring United to simply notify the player before a specified deadline. Yet somehow, this routine administrative task fell through the cracks at the club's Carrington training ground.
"It was there in black and white," revealed a source close to the negotiations. "All they had to do was send a letter. Instead, they let a £30m asset walk away for nothing."
From Cult Hero to Costly Mistake
The Basque midfielder had established himself as a crucial squad player under three different managers, winning the club's Player of the Year award in 2016-17. His energetic performances and combative style made him a perfect fit for the Premier League.
PSG quickly pounced on United's oversight, offering Herrera a lucrative £150,000-per-week deal that the English giants showed no urgency to match. The move left then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scrambling for midfield reinforcements.
A Recurring Theme at Old Trafford
This isn't an isolated incident in United's recent history. The club has developed an unfortunate reputation for contract mismanagement, with similar situations involving David de Gea and Paul Pogba causing unnecessary drama in recent seasons.
Football finance experts estimate United's failure to secure a transfer fee for Herrera - who was then 29 and in his prime - cost the club between £20-30m in potential revenue.
What Could Have Been
Had United exercised their option, they could have either kept a valuable squad player or negotiated a fee with PSG or other interested clubs. Instead, the episode became another example of the structural issues that have plagued the club's post-Ferguson era.
As Herrera continues his career in France and United still search for midfield stability, this transfer saga serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of proper contract management at football's highest level.
