Javier Hernandez claims that his ‘super sub’ tag at Manchester United was the reason why he failed to get a regular run in the team and believes that proper game time at Leverkusen is helping him improve as a player. Hernandez only started 12 games going back to the 2012-13 season with United and made a majority of his appearances from the bench in his career.
Hernandez joined Leverkusen in the summer for a reported £7.3m deal and has turned out to be a bargain with his performances this season. The Mexican has netted 19 goals in all competitions for the side and has established himself as one of Europe’s top strikers at the moment. He also admitted that his current form is due to the regular opportunities to play, something that he lacked at United.
"What I was missing in the last two or three years, it was like I was playing sometimes and then returning to the bench," Hernandez told the Orlando Sentinel.
"But now that I am playing most of the game or almost all of my games here in my club, that's what I need.”
"Because people sometimes think the confidence is with goals, but I don't think like that. I think confidence is to play day-by-day, to get rhythm."
United missing Hernandez?
Hernandez has made 12 league starts this season, more than in any season since 2011-12 and has reaped success with the improved game time. Only three players have scored more goals than him in the Bundesliga and Leverkusen are currently fifth in the table and are pushing for a Champions League spot for next season.
The Mexican was considered surplus to requirements at Old Trafford this season and it looks like his services could have been of great use for Louis van Gaal who is failing to find a reliable goal-getter up front, apart from new signing Anthony Martial.
United have struggled going forward this season after the poor form of skipper Wayne Rooney and having sold strikers Hernandez and Robin van Persie, they are currently in the running to sign a new striker to keep them up along with the big boys in England.
Hernandez scored in Leverkusen’s last outing against Ingolstadt, and will return to action against Hoffenheim at the end of January and will be keen to maintain his form in front of goal.
