Ander Herrera has described choosing to leave Manchester United as a difficult decision but one he does not want to dwell on. The Spanish midfielder confirmed his expected departure on Saturday, bringing to an end five years at Old Trafford. The 29-year-old’s deal expires at the end of the season and he is believed to have committed to Paris St Germain over another option. “This is not an easy day or an easy decision, but sometimes in life you have to take decisions,” he told the club’s official website. “Sometimes the timing is just not right and you have to move on. I don’t want to be sad, I want to thank all the fans for all they have done for me in the last five years. “I have enjoyed so much playing for this club, I have felt so privileged to represent this club every time I have done it.” He has done that 189 times since joining from Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2014, winning the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League along the way. “I have felt part of this club when I have travelled all around the world and been recognised as a Manchester United player,” he added. The Fiver: sign up and get our daily football email. “And when you’re a Manchester United player you will forever be a Manchester United player. It’s something special.” Press Association Sport understands Herrera was intending to stay at Old Trafford and sign a contract extension, only for a lack of communication to see him formulate a plan to leave.<doc-sep>After months of speculation of what his future would hold, Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has finally broken his silence and United fans hearts, as he confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. In a goodbye message posted on the teams official Twitter account this morning, the Spaniard said that ”it was a true honor to play for the greatest club in England” and that he would ”remember almost each of all the near 200 games” that he's played for United. Herrera joined United back in 2014 from Athletic Bilbao for a fee of £29 million, and has since gone on to make 189 appearances for the club, registering 20 goals and 20 assists. His time with the team has seen he win multiple trophies which include winning the FA Cup, Europa League, Community Shield, and Carabao Cup. The Spanish international will definitely not be short of options and its thought that Paris Saint-Germain will win the race to sign the 29 year-old. Despite his departure, Herrera admits that “red is in his heart” and he knew it from the moment the he started to wear it (the famous red shirt). During his goodbye message on United’s Twitter, he said: “There is red in my heart, I knew it from the first time I played here and in the moment that I started to wear it. A club with thousands of fans that respect and remember all the players who give everything.” ”I felt special when I heard my name chanted. I felt proud when the fans decided I was part of this incredible history. Every time I represented this club, in every game, in wins and losses, even when I couldn’t help from the grass, I understood what this club means.” Herrera goes on to say “Thanks for these amazing five years,” and it really does go without saying it has been a great five years with many memories having been made. So - THANK YOU ANDER! It has been a pleasure.<doc-sep>Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the campaign. The Red Devils announced the news on Saturday, posting a video of Herrera saying farewell to the club's supporters: "There is red in my heart, he said. "I knew it from the first time I played here and in the moment that I first started to wear it. A club with thousands of fans that respect and remember all the players who give everything. Every time I represented this club in wins and losses, even when I couldn't help from the grass, I understood what this club means." Speculation has been rife about the Spain international's departure for some time, with Jamie Jackson of the Guardian reporting in April that Herrera was close to agreeing to join Paris Saint-Germain. Herrera signed for United from Athletic Bilbao in 2014, and after a slow start to life at the club, he established himself as a key player at Old Trafford. He has made 189 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 20 goals; the midfielder has also won the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the UEFA Europa League. Herrera developed a reputation for tenacity, energy and incision in possession during his time in English football. Videos you might like The announcement comes on the eve of United's final game of the season, against Cardiff City at Old Trafford on Sunday. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News picked out some of the high points of the player's time at Old Trafford and detailed some of the reasons why he opted against staying at the club: BBC Sport's Simon Stone said that the manner in which negotiations went means the decision to leave is the right one: Still, his departure will disappoint some United fans. While Herrera was not a spectacular player, he was someone who would often play in important games for the team and provide a foil for the rest of the attacking players. The Red Devils fans will also be a little miffed by some of the players the club has decided to give new contracts, as football writer Scott Patterson noted when the decision was confirmed: Overall this season, United were much more productive when Herrera was on the pitch: In what was always going to be a big summer for Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, replacing Herrera will be another challenge. Additionally, there are question marks over some of the club's other key midfielders. Paul Pogba continues to be linked with Real Madrid, Nemanja Matic is past his best and last summer's marquee signing, Fred, found the Premier League hard going in 2018-19. With Adrien Rabiot set to leave PSG on a free this summer, the Ligue 1 champions' interest in Herrera makes sense. For a team that have showcased a consistently soft centre in the UEFA Champions League, having someone with the Spaniard's edge in their squad can only be a positive move.<doc-sep>
Ander Herrera has confirmed he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season when his contract expires. Spain international Herrera, 29, spent five years at Old Trafford after signing from Athletic Bilbao in 2014. He helped the club win the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup and claimed the club's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award in the 2016-17 season. Sources have previously told ESPN FC that Herrera is set to join Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in the summer. "There is red in my heart, I knew it from the first time I played here and in the moment I started to wear it," Herrera said in the video message posted on United's Twitter account. He made 189 appearances for United in all competitions and scored 20 goals. - Mitten: Valencia exit reminds United fans of better days - #UnfollowManUnited: Fans' social media protest - When does the transfer window close across Europe? "A club with thousands of fans who respect and remember all the players who give everything. I felt special when I heard my name chanted. I felt proud when the fans decided I was part of this incredible history. "Every time I represented this club, in every game, in wins and losses, even when I couldn't help from the grass, I understood what this club means. "I am going to remember each of the almost 200 matches that I have played with this jersey. Because playing for the greatest club in England, has been a true honour. Thanks for these five amazing years." Herrera's fellow Spanish midfielder Juan Mata is also out of contract at Manchester United at the end of the season, and talks are ongoing with the 30-year-old over a new deal. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirmed last month that Antonio Valencia will also leave the club this summer.