Rarely can a headline in a matchday magazine have been so prophetic : on pages 16 and 17 of the United Review , next to a picture of Ander Herrera , screamed the words ‘ Right place , right time ’ . That hasn ’ t always been the case during the Spaniard ’ s debut season at Old Trafford . Between October 20 and February 17 , Herrera was barely sighted and started just three of the 21 games Manchester United played in that period , prompting much chatter about his place in the squad . It is no secret David Moyes wanted to bring Herrera to Old Trafford on deadline day in August 2013 but red tape scuppered his ambitions ; United pressed ahead with transfer after Moyes was jettisoned but his inactivity prompted questions : Did Louis van Gaal want him or rate him ? Ander Herrera , pictured with Juan Mata , netted a brace to ensure his side claimed the win against Aston Villa . Herrera has established himself in Louis van Gaal 's first team plans after missing out in previous months . Antonio Valencia ( right ) congratulates two-goal hero Herrera ( centre ) after the final whistle . The settling in process was not easy but the 25-year-old ’ s head has never dropped and in the interview with the club publication , Herrera made it clear that a lack of action was never going to leave him at loggerheads with Van Gaal . ‘ I am very happy , he said . ‘ Even when I wasn ’ t playing , I was also happy . I am at Manchester United . I feel really lucky to be here . We have to respect his decision . He wants the best for us , the team and we have to follow him always. ’ Herrera ’ s commitment was amply rewarded against Aston Villa . The brightest spark in a Red jersey , he was certainly in the right place at the right time in the 43rd minute , when sweeping a terrific effort past Brad Guzan to set United on their way . His passing was slick , his movement was clever and it was appropriate he bookended this victory with United ’ s third in injury time ; it was fifth shot on target in the Barclays Premier League and , amazingly , his fifth goal . No wonder he left with acclaim from his manager ringing in his ears . ‘ I knew Ander has a touch of class , ’ said Van Gaal . ‘ Sometimes he was not composed at the right moment but now he has composure . Scoring seven goals in a season when he hasn ’ t played so much ? I think that ’ s fantastic . ’
Ander Herrera fired Man United to victory with double against Aston Villa . The Spaniard put in a man-of-the-match display at Old Trafford . Herrera struggled for games between October and February . However he now appears to be an integral member of United 's squad .