Now the soccer world knows why Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez left Manchester United for Bayer Leverkusen in a deadline-day flash.
Hernandez revealed Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal’s lack of faith in his goal-scoring abilities drove him from the Premier League to the Bundesliga (Germany’s first division) in September, Spanish newspaper Marca reported Tuesday, citing Mexican television station Movistar+.
On Aug. 13, Van Gaal tabbed Hernandez as Manchester United’s No. 2 striker behind Wayne Rooney, but Anthony Martial’s Sept. 1 arrival at Old Trafford on transfer deadline day changed the situation.
“I spoke with Van Gaal and he said that I only had a 1 percent chance of playing in my position, so I headed to Bayer,” Hernandez told Movistar+.
Hernandez left Manchester United after five seasons when Bayer Leverkusen offered the Red Devils around £12 million ($18.3 million) and him regular playing time.
The Mexican striker has flourished in Germany, scoring 18 goals in his first 23 games in all competitions.
“I felt confident from the very first day,” Hernandez said. “I feel important, not just because of my goals, but because I feel that I’ll start every game.”
Hernandez’s goal output in league play represents the solution to Manchester United’s current goal-scoring woes that got away.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ESPNFC
