Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera says that he is "excited" ahead of the UEFA Europa League draw that takes place on Friday as he believes the club can make history and win the competition.
Herrera 'excited' to make history with United
United failed to qualify for the Champions League last season after finishing fifth in the Premier League and will now enter the Europa League, a competition they have never won before.
The Reds are expected to be in pot one in the draw, alongside Herrera's former club Athletic Bilbao, who the midfielder would like to meet in the final as he feels it would be a very special game.
The midfielder also offered his view of the competitors this season in the competition and is looking forward to seeing which teams the club may face.
Speaking to MUTV ahead of the draw, Herrera said that the Europa League is a "very enjoyable competition" and the club wants to "fight for every competition this season" as for it to a be successful season the club needs to winning trophies. The midfielder continued to say that the "Europa League has become more important every season" as the winners get a confirmed place in next season's Champions League but for now "we are excited to see the draw."
Jose Mourinho has assembled a good squad for this season with a lot of players all fighting to start so Herrera says that the "players want as many games as possible" so they can all play a part in the success that the club may have this season. The midfielder went on to say that there is a chance that at some stage that he can play "against my former team" which for Herrera would be special.
Herrera hoping to face former club at some stage in the competition
The problem though for Herrera is that it is very likely that the two clubs won't meet in the group stage due to being in the same pot so they will have to meet in the later stages of the competition.
Herrera, however, says that if the two clubs meet at some point that "of course it would be" very special as he "spent three fantastic years there" which he was the vocal point of the team.
The midfielder says that Bilbao are a "fantastic club with fantastic people working there" so for him it would be the perfect fixture to play sometime down the line.
Herrera doesn't want to be travelling long distances during the group stage phase
One the main problems with the Europa League group stage is that teams could face clubs in which they have to travel long distances to play and Herrera doesn't want that, saying "honestly, I want the closest possible opponents" as when you travel long distances "you get more tired."
If the club were to progress out of the group though Herrera says that he "doesn't mind" travelling as to win the competition "you have to play against the best teams."
The Europa League draw takes place on Friday at 12.00 BST and it will be one to keep an eye out for to see who the Red Devils get.