Manchester United are growing in confidence that Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera will sign a new contract this season, with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2018.

This comes according to Miguel Delaney of the Independent, who writes that there is “an increased sense of relaxation” that the Spaniard will sign a new deal, instead of leaving the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

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Herrera, 28, moved to United from Athletic Bilbao in 2014 and has since scored 15 goals for the club in 128 appearances; and he is in line to start Wednesday night’s Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow.

He has consistently been linked to a return to La Liga of late, with Barcelona thought to be interested in signing him — but he seems to be really invested in life at Manchester United, hence the club’s calmness over his not having signed a new contract yet.

Herrera has not found a starting place easy to come by this season, but Delaney reports that Mourinho still sees “great value” in the central midfielder, who was lauded for his fantastic display against Chelsea as United won 2-0 against the eventual champions last season and Herrera nullified the threat of Eden Hazard in a tremendous man-marking display.