BAYER LEVERKUSEN STRIKER Javier Hernandez has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson still texts him to show support ahead of important matches.
The Mexico international, 27, was not given the chance to impress Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal and was sold to the Bundesliga club in August last year for a deal worth a reported £7.3 million after spending the previous campaign on loan at Real Madrid.
However, the striker shared a much better relationship with former manager Sir Alex, who brought him to English football as a youngster from Liga MX side Guadalajara in 2010.
Despite the legendary coach retiring from football, the Scot is eager to maintain his relationship with certain players, as Hernandez revealed their close bond.
“For me he is the best,” he told BBC Sport. “He gave me the chance to make my dream come true to play, first of all in Europe, then one of the biggest clubs in the whole of football history.
“So I am very glad, very happy to him. I always say that, to cameras and to outside, that for me Alex Ferguson is a very important person in my life.
“I keep in touch, yes. When we played in the Champions League for the Atletico Madrid game we texted. I saw him two games before and we have a lot of contact.
“When I was going to [Real] Madrid on loan I spoke with him in person. I went into his house and spoke very well and we keep in contact as good as we can, obviously because he has a lot of things to do as well and to rest and be with his family, that is why he retired. And me, I am in another country and I trying to do my best too.”
Hernandez admitted he was hurt when Van Gaal told him former team-mate Wayne Rooney would be United’s main striker – effectively leaving him as back-up – but claims he holds no grudge towards the experienced Dutch boss.
“Of course it is disappointing that any person in the world doesn’t give you 100 percent confidence,” he said.
“But I say thank you to him in the face now – and I always said it – that he was very honest. He told me that if I get a good offer and the club like it and I like it, he would be happy to let me go.”
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