Jose Mourinho admits Man Utd's top tackler Ander Herrera suffered a "very painful" injury vs. Real Madrid

Posted Tuesday, July 25, 2017 by squawka.com

Jose Mourinho admits Man Utd's top tackler Ander Herrera suffered a

Jose Mourinho has expressed his concern over Ander Herrera's fitness after the midfielder was taken off during Manchester United's pre-season friendly against Real Madrid.

Just minutes after being introduced as an half-time substitute in last night's friendly, the Spain international was forced to limp off and was in obvious discomfort in and around his hip region.

Having failed to secure a defensive midfielder in the transfer window thus far, Mourinho can't really afford to lose Herrera to a long-term injury and provided an update on the 27-year-old following the penalty victory over Los Blancos.

"I want to wait and see what it is. "It must at least be very painful for Ander to come off," the Portuguese tactician said.

"I always say to the players that you don't risk anything in friendly matches. If you feel something is coming, even if it is a little injury, get off because the result is not important.

"It was in front of the bench, it was a bad contact. Maybe it is his ribs but I don't know."

The Red Devils are already without three long-term absentees as Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young are all expected to miss the start of next season – and in the case of the former it could be 2018 until he's back in action.

Herrera's compatriot Juan Mata has sat out the last two fixtures after sustaining a knock in the win over Real Salt Lake earlier in the month.

Last season saw the former Athletic Bilbao player develop into an even more important player at Old Trafford. No player across the entire United squad bettered his total of six assists, won more tackles (64) or made more interceptions (86) in the Premier League.