"What Was Happening Wasn't Normal" - Former Man United Star Ander Herrera Calls For Substantial Manchester City Punishment

"What Was Happening Wasn't Normal" - Former Man United Star Ander Herrera Calls For Substantial Manchester City Punishment Ex-Man United midfielder Ander Herrera has called for a strong punishment to be handed to Man City. Herrera spent five eventful years in the Manchester United midfield during a spell wherein City were steadily pulling clear at the summit of English football and their neighbours were floundering. Seemingly, his allegiances to Old Trafford have not dwindled since he left England in 2019. The Spaniard has now waded into the biggest footballing story of the year: Manchester City ’s guilty verdict following the Premier League’s financial charges. Herrera pulled no punches when discussing either the substance of the allegations or the punishment he feels should follow. Herrera is the latest figure to suggest that Manchester City ’s alleged rule-breaking conduct had been an open secret within the game. Speaking on Spanish podcast El Camino de Mario , in comments relayed by Sport Witness , the former Manchester United man made his position clear. “Rules must be followed. What was happening wasn’t normal - we were all aware of it,” Herrera said. He was even more emphatic about the damage he believes the saga has done to the competition. “They’ve tainted everything,” he added. “The damage is irreparable.” Manchester City are still waiting to discover their sanction, with a separate hearing to determine any punishment after last month’s verdict, and Herrera touched on what he feels it should look like. “The penalty needs to be substantial. It must set a precedent,” he said. Herrera also attempted to contrast the demand for tickets at Old Trafford with the scene he claims greeted supporters across the city to back up his case. “My friends couldn’t get tickets for Old Trafford, yet tickets for the Etihad [Stadium] were being given away for free," the Spaniard added. No issue with the players Herrera did draw a clear line between the institution and its squad. He stressed he had nothing against City’s players or managers, who he said deserved credit for what they have achieved - while arguing that rival clubs may have lost out in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification over the years in question. Manchester City continue to deny any wrongdoing. The club maintain the ruling is “unsafe” and riddled with “clear material errors”, and have lodged an appeal they are confident will clear their name. With the sanction still to be decided and that appeal yet to be heard, Herrera’s opinion is currently just one more in a long list that City fans have seen since the verdict was announced. Whether the eventual punishment carries the seriousness he and others are demanding, or Manchester City overturn the charges altogether, the argument is a long way from being settled.