Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera believes the players must shoulder large parts of the blame for what was a disastrous season.

The Spaniard – who announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season – defended former United coach Jose Mourinho in the process.

Herrera reiterated that the players deserve 75 per cent of the blame.

“We have to take responsibility,“ Herrera told the club’s official website. ”All of us. It’s not fair to blame others. When you have a bad season, 75 per cent is the responsibility of the players.

“It’s very easy when a manager is sacked to blame someone else, but it is the fault of every one of us.

“Every player in the dressing room has a responsibility for what has happened this season. We have done bad things.

“We have done some good things but, for Manchester United, it is not enough. Probably 14 teams, if they are sixth, they are happy, but Manchester United cannot be happy.”

The 29-year-old enjoyed a great relationship with Mourinho and his words reflected that.

“If we are speaking about this last season, I have huge respect for Jose,” Herrera added. “He tried everything. The first season with him was quite successful.

“Then we were second and we had a lot of expectation for this season but it didn’t work. Not only because of him (but) because, I repeat, every player has responsibility.”