Why the Little Pea is still Key at OT

Hernandez celebrates after scoring against Braga (telegraph.co.uk)

It’s hard to understand how Javier Hernandez can be linked with a move away from Old Trafford. Rumours they maybe, of course, but their mere existence baffles me, especially for a player who could easily possess the potential to become a world class centre forward, and also become of great value to Manchester United.

The diminutive Mexican forward has had a frustrating start to this season, but reminded us all of what he can do by his performance last Tuesday against SC Braga. He was pivotal to United’s turnaround with two goals and he could have had more, breaking the offside trap twice only to be halted by an incorrect linesman’s flag. He played like a man with a point to prove, and he certainly grasped his opportunity, throwing himself back into contention; contention he shouldn’t be out of.

Last season Hernandez’s campaign was littered with injuries, stifling his attempts to build upon his excellent first year in the Premier League. This season he has of course had his first team opportunities limited by the arrival of Robin van Persie and the emergence of Danny Welbeck, though for me, he should still have a greater role in the United starting line-up.

‘Chicharito’ provides a different option in attack for Sir Alex Fergusson. He is one of the best forwards in the world in my opinion at being able to spring the offside trap, with a turn of pace that terrifies defences, accompanied by his remarkable potency in the air despite is size, able to steal a half-yard by ghosting away from defenders making him a nightmare to mark.

This sets him apart from van Persie, Rooney and Welbeck. He provides United with another option when going forward, diversifying their attacking options. This makes him a valuable asset at Old Trafford, an asset that United should make more of. Of late, he has been linked with possible moves to clubs such as Atletico Madrid following increased speculation over Manchester United’s interest in Poland international Robert Lewandowski. For me, replacing Hernandez with a player of Lewandowski’s elk is short sighted, as Lewandowski is a very similar player in terms of style to van Persie and Welbeck. What good is it to have three players of the same dimension?

It is also worth bearing in mind that the former Guadalajara front man is only 24 years age. He has still got the majority of his playing career ahead of him and I believe he can improve greatly before reaching his peak, as long as he is given a chance in the first team. If played regularly I see no reason why Hernandez wouldn’t become perhaps one of the most clinical forwards ever to have graced the Premier League as well as Old Trafford. If he is given a chance.

Hernandez looks set for inclusion in United’s line-up against Chelsea on Sunday, another opportunity for the Mexican to show why he deserves to be more of a regular first team starter. If Tuesday’s performance is anything to go by, then Hernandez certainly will be going out all guns blazing, and if selected, will certainly look to maintain the pressure on Fergusson to keep him in Red Devil’s starting XI.