Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 7y

Man United's Jose Mourinho unsure about extent of Ander Herrera injury

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is hopeful Ander Herrera's injury is not too serious despite the midfielder lasting just six minutes against Real Madrid.

Herrera came on at half-time during United's penalty shoot-out victory over the European champions in Santa Clara on Sunday only to be forced off shortly afterwards.

The Spaniard, who came on for Michael Carrick, was replaced by Scott McTominay when he left the field at Levi's Stadium holding his waist following a heavy collision, and is now a doubt for United's final game in the United States against Barcelona in Washington on Wednesday.

Mourinho said: "It must at least be very painful because for Ander to come off, it has to be very painful.

"I want to wait and see what it is. 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 very painful, it was in front of the bench, it was a bad contact. Maybe it is his ribs but I don't know."

Mourinho was already without Juan Mata against Real Madrid with the midfielder still nursing an ankle injury he picked up against Real Salt Lake last week.

After facing Barcelona in Washington, United play Valerenga in Norway and Sampdoria in Dublin before facing Real Madrid again in the Super Cup in Macedonia on Aug. 8.

As well as Herrera and Mata, Mourinho is also without Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo.

All three are with the squad in the U.S. but will miss the start of the new season when it kicks off against West Ham at Old Trafford on Aug. 13.

Mourinho added: "They have no chance for the beginning of the Premier League season. Luke Shaw is the first one to recover, Marcos will be last and Ash will be in between.

"Luke is September, Young is October and Rojo is December, or maybe January.

"The group is really strong and it's good to be together. It's important for them to be with us and not be in Manchester working at home."

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