Manchester United

Gary Neville: 'Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera face tough tests'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 25 September 2016

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville says that Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera's midfield partnership will be tested to the maximum over the next couple of months.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has claimed that Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera's midfield partnership will be tested to the maximum over the next couple of months.

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho has thus far struggled to settle on a midfield pairing this season, but Pogba and Herrera both impressed in Saturday's 4-1 win over Leicester City in the Premier League.

It is thought that the Frenchman and the Spaniard are now Mourinho's preferred pairing, but Neville has insisted that the next six games will provide "the ultimate test" for the duo.

"It's too early to say, I don't think Mourinho will look at that performance and think Pogba and Herrera are his midfield two for Manchester City at home, or Liverpool away or Chelsea away, they still have to build up that trust to him, to us, the crowd, that they are good enough to play in these big matches," said Neville on his official podcast.

"United have got three games in the next six that are against Chelsea, Liverpool and City. In those games Pogba and Herrera, if they are going to play together, can they then go and deliver in the bigger games and against the better opposition? When you've got [Philippe] Coutinho playing in the hole and pockets behind you, you've got [David] Silva, [Kevin] De Bruyne, [Eden] Hazard, Oscar and players like that.

"That's when the ultimate test will come. But it's a good start for them today (Saturday). They took their opportunities."

Next up for Man United is a Europa League group match against Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk on Thursday night, before returning to Premier League action at home to struggling Stoke City next Sunday.