Ander Herrera on the ground against Sevilla in Spain.

Mourinho provides an update on Herrera's injury

Wednesday 21 February 2018 22:54

Ander Herrera's return to the Manchester United line-up was shortlived, after the Spaniard picked up an injury after just 15 minutes against Sevilla.

The midfielder was named in the starting XI for Wednesday’s Champions League fixture, his first appearance in three weeks, but had to be substituted after attempting a backheel inside the opponents' box. He immediately took off his boot, held his leg and gestured to the sidelines, and was clearly unable to continue.

Herrera had been on the sidelines since the end of January, missing two Premier League matches against Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United and last weekend’s Emirates FA Cup tie against the Terriers.

Paul Pogba came on in his place as the Reds secured a goalless draw at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

Ander Herrera was forced off during the first half at Sevilla and replaced by substitute Paul Pogba

Jose Mourinho provided an update on the injury at his post-match press conference in Seville, saying: "I think it's a bad injury. The medical department gave [pronounced] him fully fit on Saturday. He trained on Saturday, Sunday and Monday and looked fit. 

"The way he was playing during the time he was on the pitch, he showed the intensity that is only possible when you are fit. He pressed a lot, really high; we started the match not giving one inch to [Ever] Banega.

"Then it was a backheel that created a contraction in the muscular area where he had the previous problem."

Paul Pogba replaced Ander Herrera in the first half.