It hasn’t been the easiest road in European soccer for Mexico international Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
His first stop at Manchester United was highly anticipated because only 21 years old when he signed back in 2010, Hernandez had brandished a promising skill set playing for Liga MX club Guadalajara.
Red Devils storied manager Sir Alex Ferguson, whom many people trust with these types of decisions, saw a bright future for the 5-foot-9 forward, but a great deal of his time at Old Trafford was spent on the bench, a viable factor for hindering his development.
Off to Real Madrid, Hernandez provided a spark quickly, notching a brace in his first month with the squad, but since then, he has not found scoring so effortless.
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He’s only started one game for the Whites in the past 21 league games, and Mexican great Hugo Sanchez, also a former Real Madrid standout, was straightforward when discussing the state of the his countryman.“Here in Mexico there is a lot of anxiety about Chicharito,” Sanchez said. “He’s a good player and that’s why they signed him, as well as to incentivize and motivate (Karim) Benzema.
“I know him and I know he’d like to be playing more, but Carlo Ancelotti is the one who decides and I’m not getting involved.”
As Sanchez stated, the ability to give Hernandez more minutes lies with manager Carlo Ancelotti. With so many exceptional players at Ancelotti’s fingertips and his lack of starts at Old Trafford, it’s not revelation that he’s adhered to a similar path in Spain.
Included in the 19-man derby roster as Real take on Atletico tomorrow, Chicharito will probably not secure increased playing time. James Rodriquez is out for two months with a broken foot, opening up a spot in midfield, while Cristiano Ronaldo has finished his two-match ban and is back on the field.