The last time Ander Herrera made an appearance for Manchester United was against West Bromwich Albion on October 20th. The midfielder started the game but was replaced at halftime by Marouane Fellaini. It was learned that Herrera had “tweaked” his rib; an injury that had kept him out of United’s lineup for the previous three weeks.

Since that appearance at the Hawthorns, the 25-year-old has been an unused substitute in successive matches against Chelsea, Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

His lack of playing time in United’s last four games has sparked unavoidable transfer speculation in the British tabloids. If the rumors are to be believed, after only five months, United have given up on the midfielder they signed to a four-year contract and spent £28 million securing from Athletic Bilbao; a player who was the engine that drove Bilbao to a top four finish in La Liga and Champions League qualification last season.

According to the speculation, a deal has already been agreed and will see the Spaniard “swapped” for Bayern Munich midfielder, Xherdan Shaqiri.

Smh. It’s as if some British newspapers have stopped hiring reporters and have opted for fiction writers.

Herrera’s lack of playing time in recent matches isn’t because Louis van Gaal has lost faith in the midfielder. It simply comes down to the manager having to adjust his team selection to the club’s staggering injuries which have left United’s defense tattered.

The significant loss of personnel has forced Van Gaal to switch tactics and fortify his back line with more defense-minded players. Not that Herrera is a bad defender. But the 5’11 Spaniard doesn’t provide the same physical presence that Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Marouane Fellaini and Daley Blind have brought in front of United’s back four.

Unfortunately for Herrera, he found himself on the bench while Van Gaal tried to solidify United’s defense. The manager decided to sacrifice some of his attacking options in an attempt to shut the door in front of goalkeeper David de Gea. But once more players return from injury, Van Gaal will return Herrera to the starting eleven.

Until his fitness setbacks, Herrera was a lock in Van Gaal’s starting eleven, scoring two goals and assisting another in five Premier League appearances. But separate injuries to his ankle and rib have seen his time in United’s starting eleven interrupted.

The emergence of Fellaini in the midfield has also limited Herrera’s time while Van Gaal attempts to find ‘balance’ in the squad. The Belgian international has been good on the ball, a threat on set-pieces and provided a physical presence in front of United’s inexperienced back-four. He has partnered alongside Daley Blind and Michael Carrick in front of United’s defense, and Van Gaal elected not to force Herrera into the lineup by playing him out-wide. The attacking midfielder is more effective in a central role.

Van Gaal has also elected to bring players back from injury slowly. Choosing to build their fitness levels before leaving them on the pitch for a full ninety minutes.

It’s likely that the manager planned to use Herrera as a second half substitute during United’s recent matches, but opted for other players as situations in the game changed.

But with the club heading into a busy fixture list, the manager will likely call on more players in an effort to keep the squad fresh.

Starting next weekend, United will play Hull City, Stoke and Southampton in a span of ten days. The Premier League schedule returns to normal for their next two games against Liverpool and Aston Villa. But then the hectic holiday fixtures kick in and United will play Newcastle, Tottenham and Stoke during a strenuous seven-day stretch.

So United fans can expect to have Herrera as a key contributor in the squad over the coming days and weeks. He has bided his time while Louis van Gaal steadied the ship and will be returning to United’s starting eleven.

He won’t be looking for a home in Germany.

Subscribe to World Soccer Talk’s daily newsletter featuring soccer TV schedules, news & more.