Transfer news: Athletic Bilbao coach does not expect Ander Herrera to join Manchester United

Athletic Bilbao's midfielder Ander Herrera gestures after scoring his team's first goal (Getty Images)

While he was left out of the Athletic Bilbao squad for today's defeat to Real Madrid, coach Ernesto Valverde does not expect Ander Herrera to make a late move to Manchester United.

The highly-rated midfielder is a target for David Moyes who reportedly had an offer refused earlier in the week.

24-year-old Herrera played in Bilbao's opening two games of the season but was omitted for the 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid earlier today.

However Valverde insisted after the game that the decision was not as a result of interest from the current Premier League champions

"It had nothing to do with the bid from Manchester United, I left him out because I chose the players I thought were best suited to the game," he told a press conference.

"I'm not thinking about speaking to him to convince him about anything and I'm not worried about anything else.

"I haven't spoken with the player but what I'm going to repeat is that I don't expect the club to make any moves in the transfer market tomorrow.

"I do not know what will happen. I want Ander to stay with us, and that is what I think, expect will happen."

However Herrera does have a €36m buy-out clause in his contract, which if Moyes is serious about acquiring him, could make it hard for the Basque club to hang onto their midfield star.