Javier hernandez manchester united biography of donald
The incredible tale of Chicha's United transfer
In his brilliant UTD Podcast, available now in our App, Javier Hernandez reveals exactly how his 2010 transfer to Manchester United from Chivas Guadalajara.
Here, you can read a transcript of Chicharito's passionate and unmissable story...
“Me. Playing in my hometown club, Chivas? It was my dream.
“I was scoring goals. I was getting my first call-ups with the national team. A World Cup was coming. And from behind, I did not know that Manchester United was following me.
“I cannot even believe it now. It was like, wow.
“I haven’t talked about this story before because that’s another reason why I think Sir Alex Ferguson and everyone at United trusted in me and my family.
“I think that was the cherry of the pie for everyone to agree that I should deserve a chance of trying Manchester United because you know about that school of thought and that culture. You need to have more than only football qualities to be a Manchester United player. We all know that.
“And that is something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is trying to bring up again in a way now. I can see it. Manchester United has always been very warm and home based.
“So, I was coming from a kind of injury, it wasn’t an injury, but it was one of these things where we all decided we didn’t want to risk because they said, ‘we cannot risk you because if we do and we then miss you for four or five weeks, in short tournaments in Mexico, it’s almost like half of the tournament’.
“But then the other risk, the fight to get a spot in the 2010 World Cup squad of Mexico, was there too.
“So, I had an injury, we were playing Pachuca and I didn’t know Jim Lawlor, United’s chief scout, was there to see a live match of mine. After th
Chicharito: I've learned to love myself
Former Reds forward Javier Hernandez is the first special guest in the new series of the UTD Podcast.
The Mexican, now at MLS side LA Galaxy, joined co-hosts Helen Evans, David May and Sam Homewood via video link for a chat that you can hear in full via our Official App and other podcast providers from Monday (6 September).
‘Chicharito’, as he is often nicknamed, joined the Reds from hometown club Chivas back in 2010 and went on to gain cult hero status among the United fans for his passion on the pitch and of course that famous goalscoring instinct.
The striker netted 59 times in over 150 appearances for the Reds, playing a key role in two Premier League title-winning seasons across his time at the club, and you will be glad to know that our former no.14 discusses those goals, trophies and more from his time at United during the episode.
It was also brilliant to hear the 33-year-old talk openly about his mental health and how he is doing currently, following a challenging year or so for many, himself included.
“I’m great, I’m happy, I’m very grateful for the place that I’m in because last year was very complicated for me as well, suffering a deep depression,” Hernandez says during the podcast.
“I lost my grandad too and then had situations in my personal life that I needed to handle so I was in a very low place if I can call it that.
“Then I got out of the victim zone, took responsibility of myself, my life, took some decisions and I just wanted to live in the present, enjoy life and do what I love most which is playing soccer.
“I just want to give it all. I [have] started investing a lot in myself time-wise as well, working with a lot of people around me on my food, my fitness, my physio, my emotions, my marketing, even style
Chicharito reflects on ‘bittersweet’ Man Utd spell & refuses to rule out return to Europe from MLS
Javier Hernandez considers his spell at Manchester United to have been “bittersweet”, with the Mexico international left asking “now what?” when heading for Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson snapped up the hard-working frontman in 2010 and helped a prolific presence to become a firm fan favourite at United.
Hernandez admits that a productive spell in Manchester saw him living the dream, with the 31-year-old struggling to believe that the Red Devils were interested when Guadalajara were first approached.
He went on to take in 157 appearances for the club, scoring 59 goals, but eventually left for Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 after struggling to secure a regular starting berth.
“[When you join a club like United] it is difficult to find a balance between enjoying it, not getting obsessed over wanting more and thinking that you have already done everything,” Chicharito told ESPN.
“It is like bittersweet. It was all amazing and then on the plane I asked myself: And now what?”
Hernandez enhanced his reputation across two years in Germany, earning him another shot at the Premier League with West Ham.
A spell with the Hammers did not play out as planned, with the target found just 17 times, and he remains in the process of trying to rediscover his spark.
MLS side the LA Galaxy acquired him from Sevilla in January, but just two outings were taken in for new employers before competitive football shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Hernandez is determined to prove his worth in America, with there no plans on the part of Mexico’s all-time leading goalscorer to head back to Europe any time soon.
He added: “You never know [if I could move back]. I don't know. It's difficult, but why not?
“I'm a person who is assured when I make decisions. I can change my mind, everyone can, but I'm sure of the project that I've chosen [at Galaxy].”
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Javier Hernández Facts & Worksheets
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Javier Hernández, popularly known as Chicharito, is a forward for MLS team LA Galaxy and the Mexican National Football Team. He is widely praised for his speed and skill at scoring for his team.
See the fact file below for more information on the Javier Hernández or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Javier Hernández worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
EARLY LIFE
- Javier Hernández was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on June 1, 1988.
- His father is Javier Hernández Gutiérrez, who was also a football player for the Mexican National Team. Gutiérrez was known by the nickname Chícharo. He played for local clubs Tecos F.C, Puebla F.C., and Atlético Morelia. He later became one of the managers of C.D. Guadalajara.
- Javier’s mother Silvia is the daughter of retired football player Tomás Balcázar.
- Javier’s grandfather played for local club C.D. Guadalajara and the Mexican National Team.
- Hernández has a sister named Ana.
- Javier’s family lived in Morelia, Mexico while his father played for the local club.
- Chicharito played football from a young age, spending his youth career with C.D. Guadalajara.
CLUB CAREER
- Chicharito began his professional career with C.D. Guadalajara in 2006, remaining there for four years.
- Despite struggling with a lack of playing time in his first few seasons, Javier began garnering more attention in 2009 as he became a reliable scorer for his team.
- During the first months of 2010, recruiters from Manchester United expressed t