Sir Alex Ferguson hails new star Javier Hernandez
Another outstanding match winner from the new hero of Old Trafford, Mexico international Javier Hernandez, helped Manchester United to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Wolves in the Carling Cup fourth round, earning him big praise from manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 22-year-old striker, also known as ‘Chicharito’, entered the fray as a substitute in the closing stages of last night’s match and scored his fourth goal in three matches to haul the Red Devils into the quarter-finals.
Speaking after the final whistle, Ferguson expressed his delight with the impact of his new star and praised the way he took his goal against Wolves.
"He was absolutely brilliant - it was a magnificent goal. He's shaped to shoot, dummied the defender and finished really well," the Scot commented.
"They tend to build heroes quickly here but he's justifying the praise at the moment.
"He's very professional, the first out on the training ground and the last one back in every day and he's rightly getting a lot of praise for his goalscoring.
"When he gets a chance you know he's going to take it. His touch, control of the ball and vision are improving and that's because the training is intense - we care about it and making sure the players do improve."
Equipped with blistering pace, superb movement and a lethal eye for the goal, Hernandez has drawn comparisons to a young Michael Owen. Now teammates with the England international, the Mexican has firmly cemented his place above Owen in the pecking order, and could even keep Wayne Rooney – now the highest paid player at the club following last week’s saga - on the sidelines when he returns from injury.
Despite Hernandez showing glimpses of his talent in South Africa, and enjoying a prolific pre-season in his first few weeks with the Red Devils, even Ferguson would have been a little taken aback with how quickly he’s adjusted to the English game.
Last night’s goal was Chicharito’s sixth for United, and Ferguson believes that the youngster’s excellent English is one of the key reasons he’s been able to settle so quickly.
Lauded as a superstar back in his home country, it hasn’t taken long for Hernandez to attract the same adulation at the Theatre of Dreams, while United’s £7 million investment is already beginning to pay dividends.
Tags: