Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has likened outgoing Manchester United player Ander Herrera to Jordan Henderson and expressed disbelief at why the Basque midfielder was allowed to leave.
Speaking in the wake of the Champions League final, where Henderson captained Liverpool to victory over Tottenham, the BBC pundit said the two players "have the same desire".
It comes after United failed to come to a contract agreement with Herrera, who is expected to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer after five years at Old Trafford.
His departure was confirmed before United's season finale defeat to Cardiff, when Herrera was given a send-off by Reds supporters.
"Henderson is a better passer than people think," Murphy told talkSPORT.
"It's more England fans than Liverpool fans (that criticise him). Liverpool fans now are on his side.
"He has got better in the last two seasons even more than before Stevie (Gerrard) left then he came out of his shell a little bit. Towards the end of the season, he has been absolutely fantastic. I thought he played well in the final as well.
"He's so disciplined and so athletic. I was listening to a Manchester United fan the other week talking about Herrera leaving.
"Now I am not saying Herrera is the same as Henderson, but they have the same desire and will to win and they have let him go!"
MEN Sport understands United are tracking PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot ahead of a potential free transfer that would see the Frenchman virtually replace Herrera — although the latter's move to Ligue 1 has not yet been formalised.
