With a season-defining FA Cup clash versus Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon, Jose Mourinho challenged the starting XI he picked against Bournemouth on Wednesday night to play themselves into Saturday’s semi-final showdown at Wembley, by proving they deserved to start after that horror performance against West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford last weekend.

Ander Herrera, who was hooked off at half-time against the Baggies, undoubtedly fell into that category. The Spaniard was a key element of United’s midfield last season but has struggled to enjoy such status this time around, making just eleven appearances despite the complexion of an engine room that maximises Paul Pogba’s influence being a recurring headache for Mourinho throughout the campaign.

Herrera though, answered the call from his manager and was arguably United’s most influential player in the 2-0 win at the Vitality Stadium, ensuring control of the midfield both with and without the ball. Indeed, the former Bilbao star made the most tackles and passes of any Red Devils player, despite being subbed off with 19 minutes to go, and made a telling contribution to the opening goal – his precision pass sliding through Jesse Lingard, who crossed to Chris Smalling for a simple finish.

But equally important as his own performance is how the 28-year-old seemed to get the best out of Pogba against the Cherries by sitting just behind the French powerhouse, who drove through the middle of the park to set up Romelu Lukaku for the second goal. He provided the platform for Pogba to surge forward from, reducing the 51-cap international’s responsibilities and consistently getting the ball to him – only Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial made more passes to Pogba on Wednesday night.

When compared to United’s last trip to Wembley, the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham at the end of January, that could be of pivotal importance on Saturday. In a controversially deeper midfield role, Pogba struggled to have any positive influence on the match after a chaotic opening twenty minutes and was eventually subbed off with half an hour left to play, having spent much of the time previous out-fought and out-muscled by Spurs’ Mousa Dembele.

Herrera has shown he can give Pogba that platform to express himself, and the former Juventus star proved during the 3-2 comeback against Manchester City how much of a match-winner he can be under the right conditions. So, United fans, would you start Herrera against Spurs? Let us know by voting below…

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