Ex-Man United fan favourite Hernandez offers to return for FREE to solve Ten Hag’s striker crisis

One last rodeo, Chicharito? Ex-Man United fan favourite and LA Galaxy hitman Javier Hernandez offers to return to Old Trafford for FREE and solve Erik ten Hag’s striker crisis

  • Javier Hernandez is willing to return to Man United for free if the club needs him
  • Erik ten Hag has a striker crisis with Cristiano Ronaldo eager to exit Old Trafford 
  • Hernandez is happy with LA Galaxy and wants to stay respectful to the MLS side
  • The striker says United ‘need to get over the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson has gone’

Former Manchester United fan favourite Javier Hernandez has insisted he would return to Old Trafford if the opportunity presented itself.

Erik ten Hag has been handed a striker crisis heading into his debut Premier League campaign, with star man Cristiano Ronaldo seeking an exit and Anthony Martial sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Old Trafford chiefs have made no secret that they are in the market for a striker this summer, having flirted with moves for Benjamin Sesko and Marko Arnautovic, but it seems 34-year-old Hernandez is ready to throw his hat into the ring should an offer come his way.

LA Galaxy striker Javier Hernandez will return to Manchester United for free if they need him

The Mexican international was a fan favourite at Old Trafford during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign

The Mexican international was a fan favourite at Old Trafford during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign

The affectionately nicknamed Chicharito netted 59 goals in 157 appearances at Old Trafford and is now hoping to mount a title challenge with MLS side LA Galaxy this season.

Speaking to the Mirror, the Mexican forward assured fans that he would consider a move back to Man United, although he is currently very happy with life in Los Angeles.

‘If United came for me then I’d say “yes, I’ll play for free”. Of course, you know, I’d do that,’ he said.

‘But I also want to be very respectful to my club. I am playing very consistently and in my mind my conviction is all about winning a championship with LA Galaxy.

Man United are rooted in a striker crisis with star Cristiano Ronaldo eager to exit Old Trafford

Man United are rooted in a striker crisis with star Cristiano Ronaldo eager to exit Old Trafford

‘In the future, if things happen then they happen – but in my mind I am 100 percent with LA.’

Scoring nine goals in 21 appearances this season, Hernandez has been a key part of LA Galaxy’s playoff challenge, with the MLS side currently sitting ninth in the league.

Chicharito was also voted to captain the 2022 MLS All-Star team and has built up a rich following in the US.

Yet, whilst prospering in California, the Mexico international has passionately followed the progress of Man United since his departure in 2015.   

Erik ten Hag must navigate the start of the season without Anthony Martial, who is out injured

Erik ten Hag must navigate the start of the season without Anthony Martial, who is out injured

He added: ‘United need to get over the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson has gone.

‘Would we like to have someone similar? Yes, yes, yes. But Sir Alex has gone and it is never going to be the same.

‘It doesn’t surprise me what has happened at United because in life it’s not easy having a manager for 26 years in the way that Sir Alex did it.

Bruno Fernandes and United endured a poor 2-1 defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend

Bruno Fernandes and United endured a poor 2-1 defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend

‘One of his greatest aptitudes, in my humble opinion, was that probably seven out of 10 players who signed for United worked out. That’s not easy, man – not for Real Madrid or Barcelona or even for Chelsea, (Manchester) City, Liverpool or Bayern Munich.

‘It is like winning the lottery. Do you think anyone you hire afterwards is going to be able to do even 80 percent of what Ferguson did?’ 

The Red Devils travel to Brentford on Saturday following their disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend.

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