Ander Herrera says Manchester United’s half-time team talk about pride inspired derby comeback

Three second-half United goals, two from Paul Pogba and a Chris Smalling winner, put City's title celebrations on hold

Ander Herrera impressed as part of Jose Mourinho's midfield on Saturday (Getty)

Ander Herrera believes a half-time team talk about pride inspired Manchester United’s incredible second-half comeback in Saturday’s Manchester derby.

Three second-half United goals, two from Paul Pogba and a Chris Smalling winner, defeated Manchester City and denied Pep Guardiola’s side the chance to be crowned Premier League champions against their oldest rivals.

City looked set for a dream coronation after Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan put them 2-0 by half time, but Jose Mourinho’s visitors rallied after the interval to record a remarkable and memorable win.

Smalling later revealed that Mourinho had spent the half-time period warning his players they would look like ‘clowns’ if they allowed City to celebrate a title win against them.

Herrera, an impressive presence in midfield on Saturday, also claimed that the prospect of humiliation at the home of their neighbours drove United on to victory.

“Today was not about tactics. At half-time we just talked about the pride, about the club, this club you can never underestimate it,” he said.

“We didn’t talk too much about tactics, just about our pride. Our pride on the pitch and that our fans were going to have a difficult night if we got beaten. We did it for them, and of course for us and our position, but overall for them.

When asked which of his team-mates had spoken up at half time, Herrera said: “Everyone.

“Of course, the oldest guys with the most experience – Ash [Young], Mike [Carrick] was in the dressing room – they have the power in their words, but everyone was talking.”

On the contest itself, Herrera added: “I think the first 20-25 minutes was a balanced game. We didn’t suffer too much but after the goal of Kompany we came completely down.

“We played really bad the last 20 minutes [of the first half] and the best thing was the result at half-time. We were just 2-0 down. We came back and we’re very happy, but overall for our position because we want to finish second.

“You know better than me but maybe in the last five of the last 10 Premier Leagues, we could be fighting for the title.”

After Saturday’s victory United are projected to finish on 84 points, which would only be enough to win the title in two of the previous 10 seasons, but the win does help to lay down a marker for the next campaign.

“We want to finish as well as possible this season and build a Manchester United that is stronger,” Herrera added.