Ander Herrera believes Manchester United are “cooking a fantastic team” due to the emergence of several young players this season, adding that Louis van Gaal’s team have to be positive in their attempt to secure a Champions League place and when taking on the league leaders Leicester when they visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

Herrera, a late substitute in the dramatic FA Cup semi-final win over Everton on Saturday, says the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford should provide plenty of cause for optimism despite what has been, Cup run aside, a largely disappointing campaign.

“I think in the last two or three months we have had the feeling that we are cooking a fantastic team,” Herrera said. “Young players – a fantastic mix between them and the experienced players. I can consider myself half and half. I can help also.

“They have the pace. They have the imagination, not only Anthony and Marcus, but also Jesse [Lingard] and Memphis [Depay]. They have the imagination to make a fantastic team but I don’t want to look so far ahead. Now we have a fantastic team, a fantastic chance to win a title and we have the chance to beat Leicester at home because we are in a good moment and we are fighting for the top four. We have to be optimistic and positive.”

Herrera says the win at Wembley, achieved thanks to an added-time winner from Martial that was set up by the Spaniard, was a just reward for the team and supporters, who have been critical of Van Gaal’s management at various points throughout the campaign.

“We deserved that,” Herrera added. “Our fans deserved that. We are in the final but we have to realise that we haven’t won anything yet.”