When Herd signed for Manchester City, the team included England Internationals Eric Brook, Sam Cowan, Jackie Bray, Frank Swift and Fred Tilson and former Scotland captain Jimmy McMullan. His debut for City came in a 1–0 defeat to Blackpool. Herd scored his first goal for City in a 2–1 victory against Derby County. The outside right Ernie Toseland scored the other goal for City. In his first season for the Manchester team Herd played in 14 league matches and scored 7 goals. He was also part of the City team which was defeated 3–0 by Everton in the 1933 FA Cup Final. In his second season at the club, the 1933–34 season, Herd was City's top scorer with 17 goals. He was also part of the City team which beat Portsmouth 2–1 in the 1934 FA Cup Final with two goals from Fred Tilson.