Ander Herrera is having a ‘phenomenal season’ so far, according to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

Herrera provided the assist for Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s winner against Spurs on Sunday in yet another combative display by the Spaniard.

‘I think the most important thing for a player is the manager and the fans,’ Mourinho told MUTV.

‘Ander has [the backing of] both the manager and the fans. So I don’t think he’s worried about others bringing him to the limelight; he knows that he is having a phenomenal season for us.

‘That is why he plays, that is why he had his international debut with the Spanish national team. And yes, I think our midfield was very good on Sunday, all of them, so I’m happy for them.’

The 27-year-old former Athletic Club man has played in 20 of the club’s 25 matches in all competitions this season and will be looking to start against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

The match at Selhurst Park kicks off at 22:00.