Javier Hernandez still belongs to Manchester United but the Mexican international striker seems to be falling in love with his current team.
Chicharito is on a season long loan at reigning European champions Real Madrid and despite spending plenty of time on the bench, the very reason why he left United in the first place, the 26-year-old is delighted to be playing for what he calls “the best team in the world.”
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The predatory forward has score three time in his last two games for Real, including a late winner in their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash against crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid, and he had the following to say about having a future with the Spanish giants.
“I am a Madrid player,” Hernandez said. “I’m not sure if that’ll be for a long time so I want to make the most of the minutes I am with the best team in the world.”
Well, I’m pretty sure a lot of people at Manchester United won’t like to hear those kind of comments as Chicharito seems to be resigned to the fact that his future lies away from Old Trafford.
Earlier this week United’s manager Louis van Gaal suggested nothing has changed over his feelings about the Mexican forward, as he told Chicharito he was surplus to requirements and wouldn’t get regular minutes at United.
“Chicharito’s future? I have sent him away already,” van Gaal said. “When you score a goal – as he has just done for Real Madrid – are you suddenly different? I don’t think so. I said the same as I said to Welbeck: ‘You are again a substitute and I don’t think that is good for you.'”
So, what now for Chicharito? Clubs such as Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool has been linked with a $12 million move for him this summer as Real are unlikely to buy him permanently as the only minutes he’s been able to get has been as a stand-in when either Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema or Cristiano Ronaldo are injured.
[ RELATED: Chicharito to Southampton? ]
Hernandez’s future at United seems dead and buried but should LVG be so hasty to shut the door on the El Tri star? Sure, he has suffered plenty of injuries and has seen playing time diminish over the years due to his labeling as a “super sub” but Hernandez still has a lot to offer and when you compare him to Radamel Falcao and the impact the Colombian has had at United this season as Hernandez’s replacement (four goals in 26 appearances) then surely it’s worth him coming back next season and starting a fresh?
That said, it seems like his best option is to move on and gain regular action elsewhere for a team who can guarantee him a starting spot in one of Europe’s top leagues. If he decides to do that, it means United and Real are both out of the question for Chicharito next season.
