29 September 2023 , 19:19
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Former Manchester United man Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has shed light on what made Sir Alex Ferguson's sides tick and discussed life under the iconic Scotsman.
The ex-Mexico international was spotted plying his trade for Guadalajara back in 2009 by Red Devils scout Jim Lawlor, who insisted the club secure Hernandez's signature. The following summer, the striker put pen to paper on a deal with United and quickly made an impression with a debut goal against Chelsea during the 2010 Community Shield.
Hernandez enjoyed five years as a United player, winning two Premier League titles in the process as well as a Champions League runners-up medal in 2011. He became the first player since Ruud van Nistelrooy to bag 20 goals for the club in his debut season.
Reflecting on those years at Old Trafford, Hernandez waxed lyrical over Ferguson's leadership style, particularly the Scot's man-management. The current Los Angeles Galaxy forward is by no means the first former United player to heap praise on the club icon's ability to add a personal touch.
"I always said that what I learned most from him was how he treated his players and to achieve that he had to know his players." Hernandez told Paramount+. "In order to manage a team as large as the ones I was in, you have to understand that not all of them are the same and not all of them work in the same way.
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"He had to know them because not everyone needs the same thing, not everyone works not in the same way. The coach is almost always unfair because there will always be people who don't agree with his decisions, but I think his management was incredible, that's why we won this that we won. Because he knew his players, he knew them authentically, he knew their families.
"That a person like Sir Alex Ferguson, with so much time in football, such a winner, and being the best in history, is so human and has time to get to know everyone, is what I learned the most from him."
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Sir Alex Ferguson and Javier Hernandez enjoyed a stellar working relationship at Man UtdFerguson was central to Hernandez's best days as a United player. He was eventually phased out out of the first-team fold and sent on loan to Spanish giants Real Madrid. He was soon sold on a permanent basis the following season, joining German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
None of the United managers that succeeded Ferguson thought quite as highly of Hernandez as the legendary former Red Devils boss did. After the forward had made his first appearance in the iconic red shirt during a pre-season game, the two-time Champions Leauge winning boss was already comparing him to another club legend.
"Chicharito has done really well. The players have all remarked how good he is and what a great finisher he is - I think there are similarities between him and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The players are all supportive of him and have welcomed him to the club. I think he has a great future with us."