Chicharito tops poll

It may be scant consolation for Javier Hernandez but after losing in the league for the first time with United, the Mexican has won the first ManUtd.com Player of the Month award for 2011.

In one of the closest ever polls on the website, Chicharito gleaned the same percentage as fellow striker Dimitar Berbatov – 45 per cent – but pipped the Bulgarian by just 69 of the total 33,000 votes cast.

Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic were also on ManUtd.com’s shortlist for January, a month in which the Reds picked up 13 league points from a possible 15 and progressed through two rounds of the FA Cup.

Hernandez’s contribution to the cause included two match-winning strikes away to West Brom and Southampton (both 2-1), and two other vital goals - the first against Stoke City (2-1) and the equaliser in United’s dramatic comeback at Blackpool (3-2).

No wonder United players, as well as fans on ManUtd.com, have been queuing up to give the Mexican credit. Darren Fletcher told MUTV recently: “Chicha is a natural goalscorer so when you bring someone on like him, there are always going to be goalscoring opportunities.

“He's still young and improving his game, but he's already got a great eye for goal. He showed great coolness for his goal [against Blackpool] because he'd missed a chance just before that. He didn't let that affect him and that's a sign of a good goalscorer.”

Sir Alex said after the Southampton game: “Hernandez only had one chance and he scored. One chance, one goal is a tremendous ratio. He has great feet in and around the box and gets his shots away quickly.”

This is the second time Hernandez has won ManUtd.com’s monthly award – he also topped the October 2010 poll. Other winners in 2010/11 so far are Paul Scholes (August), Berbatov (September) and Ji-sung Park (November and December).

Copy a Portion from : Manutd.com

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Rio hails Hernandez

Rio Ferdinand praised Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez after United's Mexican striker came off the bench to seal a superb win over Valencia.

The summer signing kept his cool in the cauldron of the Mestalla stadium and claimed the headlines with a cool finish five minutes from time - a goal that will further increase his stock with United fans and players alike.

Ferdinand enthused: “He is a fantastic lad. He comes to early training every day and he is one of the last to leave, he has a great attitude and he always wants to learn and get in the team. But that is the same with all the lads like Kiko and Michael Owen. We have the players who can come in and make a difference for us."

Turning to United's table-topping win, the defender revealed the Reds set out to stifle the opposition and then steal a goal. The final score suggests the plan was perfectly executed.

“I think we came to set our stall out to make sure we didn’t concede and hit them on the counter attack," reflected Rio. "I thought in the first half we contained them but didn’t really offer much ourselves going forward.

“In the second half we improved a little bit, kept the ball and then the two substitutes combined with Nani to score a great goal.

“The result is definitely a confidence boost. Obviously it has been well documented that we have let points slip in recent games and you do get nervous when you’re on a run like that but tonight I thought we dealt with it well as a team.”

Having played just twice this season following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Ferdinand showed little sign of rustiness. Instead he gave the type of performance that has become synonymous with the elegant defender and his delight at playing again was evident.

“It was good. I’m just pleased to be back and playing," he smiled. “I enjoy playing football, that is what I know and do best. To get out there and play 90 minutes is just fantastic and to get a win in Spain is great because we all know it is hard and we did it today.”

Javier Hernandez Chicarito

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Hernandez: I'm not a hero

Javier Hernandez refused to bask in the spotlight following United's trip to Stoke, despite scoring both of United's goals at the Britannia Stadium.

Instead, the Mexican striker was adamant any plaudits should be shared by his team-mates.

"It was a good goal," he said of his ingenious first, a back-header to send the Reds into the lead, "but the most important thing is that there are no heroes – it’s all about the effort of the team.

"[For the goal], I jumped and saw the ball was behind me. I just tried to head the ball towards goal and thanks to God it went in."

Hernandez has settled well since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer. He's bagged five goals in 10 appearances, including four in his last five games. Again, though, he was reluctant to take any credit for the stunning start to his Reds career.

"This is down to my team-mates," he insisted. "They have trust in me, and also the staff. It’s an unbelievable opportunity for me to play with the biggest team in the world, Manchester United. I’m working hard because I want to stay here a long time and win lots of trophies."

The 22-year-old's goals at Stoke earned United a first away win in the league this term and catapulted the Reds from sixth to second (at the final whistle) in the Premier League.

"We’ve had a lot of draws this season so we’re very happy with the result today," Hernandez said.

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Hernandez has the fear factor

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes defenders in the Premier League will be petrified by the pace of new signing Javier Hernandez, who made a goalscoring first appearance in a red shirt against MLS All-Stars in Houston.

Hernandez grabbed the headlines by scoring the fifth goal in a 5-2 win in front of 70,728 fans at the Reliant Stadium, a wonderful lobbed finish that only adds to the expectations and excitement about what the Mexican international can bring to Old Trafford.

"The one thing defenders worry about is players with speed, who get into the space behind them,” said a pleased Sir Alex after United’s fourth and final game on the tour of USA and Canada.

“When you see Hernandez's goal it is an indication of that speed. The timing of his run, coming towards the ball spinning he is going to be a threat to defenders, no question."

Hernandez was given a warm welcome from the large Hispanic community in Houston, but that’s nothing to what he can expect in Guadalajara for United’s final match across the Atlantic against his former club Chivas.

But Chicharito wasn’t the only player to catch Sir Alex’s eye. Two of United’s other goalscorers were worthy of a mention from the manager. Federico Macheda put United 2-0 up in the first half – his first goal was a supremely cool finish – while Tom Cleverley continues to stake his claim to remain at United next season with a very tidy finish to make it 4- after Darron Gibson’s well-struck free-kick.

"We always say about Macheda that he probably the best player we have in terms of going through one-on-one with the goalkeeper,” added Sir Alex.

“He’s outstanding in those positions. You always feel very confident. When he went through, I expected him to score. It was a well-taken goal."

He continued: "The confidence Tom [Cleverley] had to flick the ball over the defender’s head, then the composure to finish it off, meant it was an outstanding goal.”

Sir Alex was also pleased with the improved possession and tempo of the team’s play overall. "The thing I was looking for was our possession of the ball,” he said. “We were much better at that. Through that we had a good tempo to our game, good rythm to our play. It was a really good performance by us. We got a good start to the match and the team were confident for this challenge."

The only downside for the Reds was an ankle injury sustained by Gabriel Obertan. The French winger has shone on tour, but is now expected to be out for two weeks.

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Hernandez 'living the dream'

Javier Hernandez Chicarito

Javier Hernandez Chicarito

Javier Hernandez Chicarito

Javier Hernandez Chicarito

Javier Hernandez Chicarito

Javier Hernandez says he is living out his boyhood dream at United.

Javier Hernandez Chicarito

Normally that’s that sort of remark you’d get from a local boy made good, but this exciting 22-year-old from Guadalajara in Mexico certainly isn’t playing down his enthusiasm to have made the move to Old Trafford.

Hernandez, who was unveiled to the media on Tuesday, is as eager and quick-talking at press conferences as he is keen and rapid on the pitch.

“It is like a dream,” he said, a broad grin spread across his face. “I am living the dream that I had when I was 10 years old when I loved this team and these players like Giggs and Scholes. All the players at United were heroes to me, from Cantona to Ronaldo. I liked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a lot as well. They are all good players. I wanted to be like them.

"I am here now and I want to enjoy it and take this opportunity and to grow up as a human and as a player. Most importantly, I want to win things.”

He sat on the press conference top table, sleeves rolled up ready for business, holding court with confidence at his Old Trafford unveiling – although officially that had happened the night before against Newcastle when, as a second-half substitute, he was given a rapturous welcome at his new home.

Javier Hernandez Chicarito

“It was wonderful on Monday night to play at Old Trafford for United in this league. It was unbelievable,” he added. “When I was young I always liked this league. I always wanted to play here. I’m very happy I have this opportunity.

"I also want to open doors to players in Mexico to allow the important teams over here might look at other players from my country. To all the fans in my country and over here I want to say thank you for all the support. I can promise I will work hard and do my best.”

Chicharito’s signing is a credit to United’s scouting network, particularly signing him before an impressive World Cup raised his profile just as much as his move to Manchester.

“The World Cup was important to me,” says Hernandez. “All my experience I have had in my short career has been important. The World Cup was great for my family because my father and grand father played also in a World Cup. It was a dream for all the family.”

But now his mind is focused on United and earning his place in the team. And Chicharito will throw himself into the task with seemingly typical gusto.

“In football you know you have competition for places,” he says. “You have it when you are in the reserves and when you are young - you can only play 11 players. In my head, I just want to learn and grow up and do my best for the team.”

Chicharito: In His Own Words...

 

"We like doing these kind of deals. We identify young talent and we’ve been good at that over the years. These are the kind of signings we prefer to make."

Sir Alex Ferguson

"He has lots of good qualities – he's two-footed, very quick and has a good spring, and he’s a natural goalscorer. We’re very excited about him and hope he has a great career at Old Trafford."

Sir Alex Ferguson

"He’s rated as a big talent in Mexico. People have a lot of faith in him that he’ll go far, and he's at the right club to develop himself. The reaction in Mexico was massive when he signed – it was termed 'the transfer of the decade'.

Guadalajara journalist Tom Marshall

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