IT SEEMED THAT the moment Javier Hernandez missed a penalty for Manchester United in their Champions League play-off against Club Brugge back in August, his career at the club was over.
In the immediate aftermath, Louis van Gaal’s reaction on the bench said it all.
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On loan at Real Madrid during van Gaal’s first season at Old Trafford, the Mexican returned to United last summer determined to try and push himself back towards the first team, aware that the team’s high-profile attackers had all floundered.
A consistent performer for United when afforded the opportunity, his movement, energy and goalscoring capabilities ensured he was a firm fan favourite though van Gaal remained skeptical.
Out to prove his worth, he failed to score in the 41 minutes of competitive action he’d managed in the first two games of the season and could recognise that the pressure was on.
Against Brugge, he tried too hard. He slipped when taking his penalty and moments later, with the goal at his mercy, he inexplicably lofted over the bar from a matter of inches. It was uncharacteristic and a sign that Hernandez was suffering from a lack of confidence.
Days later, he was sold to Bayer Leverkusen and, ever since, has made van Gaal’s decision look short-sighted and foolish.
The Mexican has been brilliant since arriving in Germany and the statistics are staggering.
In 20 appearances in all competitions, he’s managed sixteen goals. But since the end of October particularly, he’s been unstoppable.
He’s featured in twelve games for Leverkusen and found the net fourteen times.
There’s been some major highlights in the Champions League – his recent goal against Barcelona and the terrific strike he managed in the 3-2 defeat with Roma – but his Bundesliga form is exemplary.
He’s only made 13 league appearances but he’s scored ten goals – from 17 shots on target. That’s how deadly he’s been. His conversion rate is 27% and he has a shot accuracy of 46%. Despite only playing his first game for the club in September, he’s currently the league’s fourth-highest goalscorer, trailing Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang (18) and Bayern pair Robert Lewandowski (15) and Thomas Muller (13).
Of course, it’s inevitable that Hernandez would’ve struggled to United given van Gaal’s preference for a slow and patient build-up. The Mexican’s movement is a huge asset but not necessarily for United’s current system.
Still, surely it would be a better alternative than thumping it long to Marouane Fellaini.
Stats courtesy of WhoScored.com
