Javier Hernandez- It's either the game of patience or route to exit at Old Trafford

Javier Hernandez

Back in August 2010, there were kids seen in back gardens across the country trying to perfect the art of scoring a goal by kicking the ball off their own face. They called the move – “the Chicharito”. This was after Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, the newly signed Mexican striker of Manchester United, scored on his competitive debut, after deflecting the ball off his own face and into the net, after coming off the bench in a 3-1 FA Community Shield victory over Chelsea. He became an instant fan favorite.

The 22-year old striker continued his Midas touch in front of the goal throughout the season, where he became only the second striker after Ruud van Nistelrooy to score 20 or more goals in his debut season, which further enhanced his growing popularity amongst the Old Trafford faithfuls who voted him as the Manchester United player of the season (2010-2011) and quickly anointed him as the natural successor of their legendary number 20 striker – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

At his best, the Mexican striker is an uncompromising figure of true professionalism, flawless movement and opportunism in the box. His goals come from his unrelenting work rate and tireless chasing of every ball, chance, mistake and pockets of space.

However, despite having such lethal goal scoring instincts, the wealth of attacking talent at Manchester United has limited the Mexican’s playing time largely as a substitute rather than a regular starter. Yet, he is never seen without a wide grin on his face and gives his hundred percent whenever called upon for his duties which makes him one of the most likable figure at Old Trafford.

But with the purchase of Robin van Persie and the emergence of Danny Welbeck last season, he has seen his playing time even further diminished in the current campaign at Old Trafford with only six appearances to his name this season. An international striker of his quality, even with the persona that he possess and the smile that he carries, can never be satisfied with such numbers.

As a result, Hernandez is now left with only two choices – remain patient or leave.

One thing that is certainly not working in the Mexican’s favor at Manchester United is his limitations as an all round footballer. Compared to Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, he simply doesn’t possess the same all-round qualities. The Mexican is more of a poacher in the six yard box whose build up play is improving rather than an intelligent footballer who can score goals.

Therefore, replacing van Persie or Rooney as United’s main striker will not be possible for Hernandez in the short term, and unless he adds tremendous quality to his build up play or take his goal scoring rate to extraordinary levels, there is no guarantee of a regular place in the team in the long term as well.

In games when van Persie struggles to find the back of the net, he can still influence the game by dropping deep, picking up the ball and creating a chance for someone else. Or he can deliver from a free kick or a corner that could lead to a goal.

Wayne Rooney himself has been a patchy goal-scorer throughout his career. But his true value to the team comes from his overall footballing abilities where he can drop deep to defend, play in the hole behind the main striker and sometimes out wide left as well when required. Its his versatility as a footballer that earns him a regular starting berth every time.

And even Danny Welbeck, who is probably half as good as Hernandez in goal scoring abilities, earns himself a starting place ahead of the Mexican because of his excellence in the other areas of the play. Be it his raw pace and strength, dribbling abilities, ability to play wide left and a ball winner in the attacking third, he adds value to the overall team play.

Javier Hernandez

Javier Hernandez, however, has always been and forever be about goals and scoring them and scoring little more.

This clearly means that even if he misses half a chance during a game, his chances of being selected in the next game goes considerably down as compared to other all round strikers around him who can always make up for a miss with their other qualities. This, in fact, is justified. Because if Hernandez wants to play regularly, then he has to deliver to a punishing degree. Otherwise there’s no point.

As a result, he will most likely remain as a substitute for Manchester United despite his popularity amongst the fans, the praises that he earns from the coaches and the media for his professionalism and his general image in the public eye.

But if he is looking for respect and protecting his general image, then there should be no shortage of admirers for the Mexican because with the persona that he possess, he will always remain likable by the fans and the masses regardless of whichever club he plays for. What he really needs is more playing time.

And Hernandez has never been shy of speaking of his love for United publicly, but unfortunately for him, if he wants to have regular football then he might have to look at life outside Old Trafford.

So it’s either the route of patience or the route of exit at Old Trafford for Javier Hernandez. And this year being the World Cup year puts even more emphasis on the striker to look for more playing time.

And if everyone at Manchester United is honest with themselves, then there’s only one particular way this Chicharito story at Old Trafford is going to end in the near future.