Wayne Rooney may earn the big money and Sir Alex Ferguson may rule with an iron fist, but a 22-year-old Mexican is grabbing the headlines as Manchester United chase triple success this season.
Javier Hernandez signed for United for a reported 10 million pounds (16 million dollars) last summer, having agreed to join in April 2010. The transfer fee was no mean amount but little was known about the striker outside of Mexico before last summer's World Cup finals.
If United are to go on to win trophies this year, then the man nicknamed Chicharito could have a major part to play.
In recent games, Hernandez has been preferred in the starting line-up to Dimitar Berbatov, himself a 30 million-pound signing back in the summer of 2008.
And on Tuesday, the Mexico striker scored both goals as United held off Marseille to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the fifth successive year, taking his United tally to an impressive 16 in 33 games.
Rooney's own form has lifted in recent weeks and both he and Ferguson have been quick to point to Hernandez as the reason the club is still on track to win three trophies this season.
"He's a fantastic player," Rooney said. "He's in good form. It's nice to see him scoring and nice to play with him. He always tries to stay on the shoulder, looks in behind and he's a quick player. By making those runs in behind defenders it creates a bit more space for you in front of them. It's working well.
"He's been fantastic and works so hard as well. He wants to improve and it's good to see."
According to the Daily Telegraph, Ferguson was so keen to sign Hernandez that he convinced everyone involved to stay quiet about it for a week so no other club would be encouraged to up their bid to sign him.
But despite his conviction, Ferguson admitted that he did not expect him to make such a big impact, so soon.
"We are surprised," Ferguson said. "When we bought him we thought it'd take him time to adjust. He has adjusted to the physical part very well and is lasting 90 minutes."
Between training, Hernandez is reportedly studying for a degree in business administration, and his English was good before he even arrived in the country.
The fans love him and it seems that he is loving things at Old Trafford, too.
"Football in England is more developed than it is in Mexico and the culture of the country means that the football is more about playing fair and honestly," he said.
"Everyone is doing their best to make sure you get good football on the pitch. I like that."
If he continues to help United stay on top this season, then his stock will only continue to rise.
Javier Hernandez signed for United for a reported 10 million pounds (16 million dollars) last summer, having agreed to join in April 2010. The transfer fee was no mean amount but little was known about the striker outside of Mexico before last summer's World Cup finals.
If United are to go on to win trophies this year, then the man nicknamed Chicharito could have a major part to play.
In recent games, Hernandez has been preferred in the starting line-up to Dimitar Berbatov, himself a 30 million-pound signing back in the summer of 2008.
And on Tuesday, the Mexico striker scored both goals as United held off Marseille to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the fifth successive year, taking his United tally to an impressive 16 in 33 games.
Rooney's own form has lifted in recent weeks and both he and Ferguson have been quick to point to Hernandez as the reason the club is still on track to win three trophies this season.
"He's a fantastic player," Rooney said. "He's in good form. It's nice to see him scoring and nice to play with him. He always tries to stay on the shoulder, looks in behind and he's a quick player. By making those runs in behind defenders it creates a bit more space for you in front of them. It's working well.
"He's been fantastic and works so hard as well. He wants to improve and it's good to see."
According to the Daily Telegraph, Ferguson was so keen to sign Hernandez that he convinced everyone involved to stay quiet about it for a week so no other club would be encouraged to up their bid to sign him.
But despite his conviction, Ferguson admitted that he did not expect him to make such a big impact, so soon.
"We are surprised," Ferguson said. "When we bought him we thought it'd take him time to adjust. He has adjusted to the physical part very well and is lasting 90 minutes."
Between training, Hernandez is reportedly studying for a degree in business administration, and his English was good before he even arrived in the country.
The fans love him and it seems that he is loving things at Old Trafford, too.
"Football in England is more developed than it is in Mexico and the culture of the country means that the football is more about playing fair and honestly," he said.
"Everyone is doing their best to make sure you get good football on the pitch. I like that."
If he continues to help United stay on top this season, then his stock will only continue to rise.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire