Crossword Genius

Herb carries, ultimately, the can for VIP's team? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

retinue

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'team?' is the definition.
(I know that retinue is a team)

'herb carries ultimately the can' is the wordplay.
'herb' becomes 'rue' (rue is a herb).
'carries' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters carried inside).
'ultimately' suggests the final letters.
'can' becomes 'tin' (both are metal containers).
The last letter of 'the' is 'e'.
'e'+'tin'='etin'
'rue' going around 'etin' is 'RETINUE'.

'for vip's' is the link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for retinue that I've seen before include "Group around VIP" , "Body of attendants" , "Reunite (anag) - group of servants" , "Group of followers" , "Train, following" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.