Ex-Man Utd Player of the Year, 35, goes off in tears with injury five minutes after coming on for South American giants

ANDER HERRERA left the pitch in floods of tears after picking up a fresh muscle injury.

The 2017 Manchester United Player of the Year joined Argentinian sideBoca Juniorsin January as a free agent.

Herrera was brought on at half-time but felt a pull on his leg in the 50th minute, with his side already 2-0 down to Newell's Old Boys.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder looked devastated as he cupped his hands to his mouth and covered his face with his shirt.

His Boca Juniorsteam-mates immediately dashed over to console him before he was replaced by 22-year-old Exequiel Zeballos, while the game was still in play.

Former Man Utd star Edinson Cavani – who joined Old Trafford after Herrera left – missed a penalty for Boca Juniors shortly afterwards.

The visitors could not find a way back in and missed out on the chance to move top of the Primera Division.

Meanwhile, Herrera has picked up three injuries since his shock South American move and has played just seven games for the club.

But the Spaniard has been plagued by injuries since his second stint with Athletic Bilbao in 2023.

The 35-year-old made just 61 appearances for Bilbao in just over two years from January 2023 until two months ago.

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And Herrera even considered throwing in the towel in 2023 after telling his Instagram followers about the darkest time of his career.

That year, he wrote: “I am going through, without a doubt, the most difficult moment of my career.

“A little over a year ago I started having repetitive muscle problems from which I can't recover.

“For someone like me, who is passionate about his profession and enjoys it intensely every day, it is very hard.

“I feel the same energy and enthusiasm for football as I have during my entire career, but injuries are not allowing me to enjoy and be happy.”

Despite that, Herrera went on to win the Copa del Rey with Bilbao, who extended his contract for one year last summer.

But due to persistent injuries, the LaLiga club agreed to pay him out of his deal and sold him to Boca Juniors six months later in January 2025.

Herrera passed his medical and linked up with his former Man Utd team-mate Marcos Rojo, who captains Boca Juniors.

But despite being hindered from a sustained run of games, Herrera is being backed by fans in Argentina.

One wrote: “I support Ander Herrera wholeheartedly because he wants and feels like playing for Boca Juniors. He doesn't care.

“He's crying with anger for not being able to help his team. I love you so much, Ander. I hope you get better soon.”

Before signing, Herrera hailed the Boca Juniors atmosphere as “unforgettable” while visiting Rojo in 2023.

The midfielder spent five years at Man Utd from 2014 and 2019, following his move from Bilbao.

He won the club's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award after United won the Europa League in 2017.

Herrera topped the voting in the poll, ahead of Antonio Valencia in second, with top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic in third.

The Spaniard subsequently joined PSG, winning two Ligue 1 titles and a runners up Champions League medal.

He returned to Bilbao on loan in 2022 before making the switch permanent in January 2023.