r03;r03;r03;r03;r03;r03;r03;Ander Herrera has impressed in Manchester Uniteds midfield and he looks set to start against Liverpool on Monday Night Football. The Spaniard already looks like Jose Mourinhos best partner for Paul Pogba in the middle, writes Nick Wright. Herrera has had to be patient at United. It is more than two years since he first set foot in Carrington, but the former Athletic Bilbao midfielder has featured sporadically for the most part, struggling to nail down a place in the team and frequently finding himself on the fringes.Herrera started just 36 out of 76 Premier League games in his first two seasons at Old Trafford under Louis van Gaal, and history seemed to be repeating itself when he was relegated to the bench by Mourinho after playing in Uniteds 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on the opening day of the new campaign. Herrera was sacrificed for world-record signing Pogba, with Marouane Fellaini keeping his place instead. The decision seemed to pay off as United beat Southampton and Hull, but they soon faltered, and Herrera caught Mourinhos eye as a second-half substitute in their galling 2-1 defeat by Pep Guardiolas Manchester City at Old Trafford. Ander Herrera has impressed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho in recent weeks Ander came on in the second half and he was the one who allowed us to recover the ball fast, to press higher, to bring the team higher, to recover the ball, to build a new wave of attack, to put another long ball into the last line, said Mourinho. Ander was phenomenal in his attitude.The 27-year-old was back on the bench for the 3-1 defeat by Watford despite Mourinhos praise, but he returned to the starting XI for the 4-1 thrashing of Leicester, and he remained there for their 1-1 draw with Stoke - a performance Mourinho described as Uniteds best of the season so far, despite the frustrating result. With Fellaini back on the bench and the ageing Michael Carrick overlooked, its now Herrera who looks like the best foil for Pogba in an unfamiliar holding role. Indeed, its no coincidence that his return to the side coincided with Pogbas best performance in a United shirt against Leicester, or that Mourinhos men have created more clear-cut chances in the last two games (eight) than in the previous five combined.For while its not always Herrera who plays the final pass, his dynamism from deep injects speed into Uniteds attack. Juan Matas selection ahead of Wayne Rooney has also contributed in that regard, but Herreras underlying importance was highlighted by his absence against Zorya Luhansk, as United mustered just two shots on target in a laboured 1-0 win at Old Trafford. Ander Herrera (21) provided the platform for Paul Pogba (6) to shine against Leicester United missed his quick, accurate distribution. Fellaini brings physical and aerial strengths to the table, but the Belgian does not possess Herreras ability to intelligently recycle possession at speed, nor can he match his urgency off the ball. Premier League tracking data shows Herrera has made 49 sprints per start this season. Fellaini has made just 37. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just a05;6.99. No contract. Herreras impressive form was recognised with his first call-up to the senior Spain squad last week, and he puts it down to the change of position. Its going well, he said. I know I have to keep working to earn Mourinhos confidence even more, but its true that I feel good in the new position and its also true that maybe that little change of position was what has allowed me to receive a Spain call-up. Ander Herrera impressed in a defensive midfield position against Leicester As well as adding speed and incisiveness to Uniteds general play, his defensive output has given Pogba greater licence to attack. Paul is a very strong, very physical player who shoots with both feet, said Herrera. He can dribble, he can defend. He has it all. I can then stay back to steal the ball, to keep the position, and from there initiate attacks.Herrera is excelling in that regard. The midfielder made more interceptions than any of his team-mates in Uniteds games against Leicester and Stoke (11), and his combination of front-foot defending and smart distribution has helped Mourinhos side turn defence into attack with greater fluency. VOTE: Liverpool v Man Utd top 50 Who is the greatest Liverpool or Manchester United player in Premier League history? Its had a knock-on effect on his midfield partner. Pogba scored his first goal and produced a man-of-the-match display in the win over Leicester and the Frenchman has created more scoring chances (seven) and had more shots on target (three) in his last two Premier League appearances than in his previous four alongside Fellaini.They are encouraging signs for Mourinho, but Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has urged caution over Herrera and Pogbas good start, and the pairing will be sternly tested in the weeks ahead. I dont think Mourinho will look at that performance against Leicester and think Pogba and Herrera are his midfield two, said Neville. Ander Herrera brought the best out of Paul Pogba against Leicester United have got three games in the next six that are against Chelsea, Liverpool and City, and 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. Can they then go and deliver in the bigger games and against the better opposition? Thats when the ultimate test will come.It starts at Anfield on Monday night. Jurgen Klopps side rank top for chances created and goals scored this season, and the speed and fluidity of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho will test Herrera like never before. This, though, is the opportunity the Spaniard has been waiting for. How he comes through it could prove decisive.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Carra on Man Utd title hopes Man Utds rivalry run VOTE: Liverpool v Man Utd Top 50 WATCH: Ready for Red Monday? Vapormax Dame Dk . The pair ended pointless droughts when they each scored two goals in a 6-4 victory over the Winnipeg Jets that halted a two-game losing skid for the Stars (15-11-5). Nike Vapormax Dk . - Vince Wilfork has played only two career games in Kansas City. http://www.vapormaxdanmark.com/ . Braden Calverts Winnipeg rink rallied to defeat Italy 8-7. After giving up three points in the second end, Calvert came back with a single, then stole two more points in the next two ends to tie it up at the fifth-end break. Vapormax Herre Danmark .Before a raucous sellout crowd, the Hawks won for the 29th time in 31 games to extend their Eastern-best record to 36-8.As usual, pretty much everyone chipped in.Four starters were in double figures and backup point guard Dennis Schroder led a spurt at the start of the fourth quarter that helped the Hawks pull away. Vapormax Herre Tilbud . Second-seeded Sloane Stephens of the United States made lighter work of her day as she beat 2009 champion and Swiss wild card Timea Bacsinszky 6-3, 6-3. Two seeds fell: No. 4 Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium lost to Katarzyna Piter of Poland 6-4, 6-2, and No.Adrian Lewis struck a majestic nine-darter in a 7-5 win against James Wade in the stand-out moment as Premier League Darts passed through Belfast. Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson played out a high-quality draw on Thursday night, while Phil Taylor solidified his spot at the top, but Lewis sensational effort stole the show in front of a partisan crowd.Lewis nailed the perfect leg to draw level at five apiece, ending a four-leg winning run from Wade with aplomb. The Stoke thrower had earlier successfully hit his first four doubles of the match, but missed the next six. Adrian Lewis hit the first Premier League nine-darter in four years Lewis impressively kept his cool after hitting the first Premier League nine-dart finish since Simon Whitlocks in 2012. He broke Wades throw in the next leg to go 6-5 up before celebrating manically with the crowd and held his own throw to move onto 15 points in third place, one behind Van Gerwen.The Dutchman is still second behind Taylor after a sensational 6-6 draw with defending champion Anderson that took just 16 minutes. Reaction from Michael van Gerwen and Gary Anderson Van Gerwen and Anderson traded such heavyweight darts at a breathless speed that a break of throw always seemed unlikely and was ultimately never forced.With Van Gerwen 5-4 ahead, he was poised to crucially break until the Flying Scotsman killed his hopes with a brilliant 119 finish. A draw meant Anderson remains in fourth on 14 points, a point behind Lewis. Watch the winning leg from the Premier League clash between Phil Taylor and Raymond vvan Barneveld Taylor ended the night with a four-point cushion at the top of the Premier League after a 7-5 win over long-time rival Raymond van Barneveld.ddddddddddddThe Power, who has played a game more than Van Gerwen, Lewis and Anderson, was in cruise control for the majority of proceedings but had to valiantly withstand a late fightback from his fellow legend. Phil Taylors reaction to moving clear at the top of the league Taylor led 5-1, after crucially building on a break of throw in the opening leg that seemed to wilt Van Barneveld, but he wasnt allowed to romp over the finishing line. After missing twice at double 16 for the match, Van Barneveld reduced the deficit to 6-4 with a nonchalant 64 checkout.He immediately thundered home a 106 checkout to threaten a fairytale comeback but Taylor gritted his teeth and, despite missing three match darts, held his throw to all but assure himself of a play-off place.Van Barneveld could have ended the night at the bottom of the league but a 7-4 win against Robert Thornton in both players second match saved him.A crucial break of throw to go 6-4 ahead spared Barneys blushes and condemned Thornton to another week in eighth-place. Catch up with the best of the action from week 11 of Premier League Darts Premier League Darts resultsRobert Thornton 7-2 Peter WrightRaymond van Barneveld 5-7 Phil TaylorJames Wade 5-7 Adrian LewisMichael van Gerwen 6-6 Gary AndersonRaymond van Barneveld 7-4 Robert Thornton Also See: As it happened Prem table On Sky TV Darts betting Get Sky Sports ' ' '
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