Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez will return to Manchester United next season after a one-year loan stint with Real Madrid. And if he will have it his way, Hernandez said he wants to stay at Old Trafford for good.
Hernandez was sent to Real Madrid last year when new manager Louis van Gaal took charge. But contrary to what he expected, Hernandez failed to get a lot of opportunities to prove his worth at Bernabeu as he played behind the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez.
Real Madrid had an option to buy Hernandez permanently, but no agreement was reached before the deadline mainly because of the managerial change at Bernabeu, which saw Rafael Benitez taking the place of Carlo Ancelotti after Los Blancos failed to win a title last season.
Hernandez told reporters that his previous disappointments at Manchester United and Real Madrid are now things of the past, and that he is focused on proving his worth at Old Trafford next season.
"What I want is to go to a team where I can play and have minutes," Hernandez said. "If it's Manchester United or another, I will also be happy. That's my priority above all else. Real Madrid had a date by which they could exercise the right to buy me and they let it pass. Now they're like any other club."
Hernandez, who tallied seven goals and four assists in 23 Spanish La Liga appearances last season, is confident he will get a chance to contribute at Old Trafford next season.
The Mexico international thinks van Gaal was comfortable with what he had last season because Manchester United did not qualify for the Champions League. But now that they will play in the Champions League next season after finishing fourth in the Premier League, Hernandez believes van Gaal will utilize all players available.
"There was no European competition and he wanted to concentrate on the league and maybe he didn't want so many players because they were not going to be able to play," Hernandez said. "Now the situation has changed. There will be a Champions League qualifier, a lot more games and I think that there will be more opportunities."
It should also be noted that Manchester United are reportedly preparing to part ways with Robin van Persie, which could open more playing time for Hernandez if the rumored transfer pushes through this summer.
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