Wayne Rooney may not start 2017/18 at Manchester United and a couple of the other leading candidates are getting on.
Ever since Rooney started getting muscle injuries and knee niggles, and dropped, United have called on Michael Carrick and Chris Smalling to captain the side.
All the while, though, there has been a goading, urging, inspiring presence in midfield. He is often called upon for pre-match press briefings and steps forward when United need someone to face the cameras after points are dropped.
Ander Herrera may have needed to convince Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho he was worthy but United fans have long held a torch. They appreciate his honesty of effort, sheer drive and the fact that he seeks to play forward passes.
On Monday, at West Ham's London Stadium, Ander Herrera had another in a long list of solid performances. He had 125 touches of the ball, made a couple of key offensive passes, three clearances and five interceptions.
https://twitter.com/AnderHerrera/status/816025209417437184
Smalling is not a regular starter this season and Carrick is only back in the first XI a couple of months. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is staying next season but may not be around much longer while David De Gea - not the most vocal of goalkeepers - has not often led the side when other senior stars have missed out.
Herrera is the player most United fans are calling on to lead the side.
The captain's cameo against Middlesbrough
https://twitter.com/RobDawsonMEN/status/815233514207645696
Talking like a captain
https://twitter.com/VivaMourinho/status/815833431850393600
Genuine love
https://twitter.com/girlmanutd/status/810207681348673536
Get on-board
https://twitter.com/gislip/status/816005579118362624
Remi... Moses comparisons FFS
https://twitter.com/UrmstonLordMUFC/status/816003068873547776
And if not Ander... Tony V surely
https://twitter.com/TheGogoSan/status/762529725214490624
