Who Could Replace Pogba?

As Manchester United made a winning return to the UEFA Champions League this week, the only low point for the Reds on an otherwise positive night was the injury sustained by Paul Pogba.

The Frenchman, who has enjoyed a fine start to the season, was forced off after just 19 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury during the 3-0 win over FC Basel at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.

Pogba seems set to miss Sunday's Premier League game against Everton, opening the door for another member of United's star-studded midfield to step into the spotlight alongside summer signing Nemanja Matic.

Speaking after the Basel victory, Jose Mourinho said of his options: "Squads are for this, squads are for injuries, squads are for suspensions. We don't cry with injuries. So, if no Paul for Sunday, we have Herrera, we have Carrick, we have Fellaini and we have Matic."

ManUtd.com assesses the contenders to fill Pogba's shoes in his potential absence and see what the man himself has had to say about his fellow midfield men...

MAROUANE FELLAINI

The Belgian has had a positive start to the campaign and demonstrated his ability to make the difference from the bench by scoring the crucial opening goals against Leicester City and FC Basel after coming on. His eye-catching display against the Swiss champions earned him the club's Man of the Match award, as voted for by the fans, many of whom sung his name throughout the game. After his impressive contribution in a key game, Fellaini, who is becoming an increasingly influential figure for the Reds, could be in line for a start against his former club Everton this weekend. In a recent interview before his injury, Pogba declared that he has been inspired by the impact Fellaini has made, saying: "All the players when they train, they play hard as they know they will get a chance to play. It's very professional so we need players like this."

ANDER HERRERA

The Spaniard has had to be patient for opportunities in the first few weeks of the season, having only started the UEFA Super Cup defeat against Real Madrid and the 2-2 draw against Stoke City last weekend. But he is more than capable of taking his chance when it comes along and re-producing the kind of form which saw him claim last season's Matt Busby Player of the Year award. Mourinho reserved special praise for Herrera for the role he played in spreading positivity from the bench despite being an unused substitute against Leicester City - and Pogba is also full of admiration for his team-mate. "Ander didn't start one game in the first month but he was the best player of Manchester United last season. So, obviously, it's hard for a player like him to not play but he is very professional," he said. "You can see him in training, working hard and he is a very good example for everyone."

MICHAEL CARRICK

The club captain has watched on from the sidelines so far this term but, although he still awaits his first appearance of 2017/18, his influence on his team-mates during United's flying start to the campaign cannot be underestimated. The experienced midfielder provides a calming presence off the pitch as much as he does on the field, with his ability to bring the best out of those around him second to none. Pogba revealed that the understated skipper is someone he has always looked up to. "I'm still learning from him. He is an example for me and I always look at him in training. I listen to his advice – every time, before a game, he comes to talk to me and he will ask me things and keep me calm. To be honest, he is a mentor to me." Carrick has been part of some impressive team performances against the Toffees down the years, including a 3-0 win at Old Trafford in 2009 in which he scored a fine second goal for the Reds, and will hope to get a chance to make his mark this weekend.