Man Utd need another Javier Hernandez for Erik ten Hag with transfers tricky

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This summer, Manchester United are determined to sign a new striker. However, deals for the likes of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Goncalo Ramos and Rasmus Hojlund currently look tricky to broker with the quartet all likely to cost premium fees. And that’s why Erik ten Hag desperately needs a Javier Hernandez of his own, 13 years after the Mexico international moved to Old Trafford.

Back in 2010, Manchester United wanted to reinforce their attack.

Wayne Rooney had struggled at the World Cup in South Africa, Dimitar Berbatov had blown hot and cold following his move from Tottenham two years previously and attackers Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo were figures of the past.

United were linked with Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who were playing for Palermo and Barcelona respectively.

But, in the end, the Red Devils signed Hernandez out of the blue.

Few had heard of the Mexico international, who touched down from C.D.Guadalajara having scored 21 goals from 28 matches.

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For a fee of £6million, however, he was considered low-risk.

Almost immediately, Hernandez made an impact at United – scoring on his debut in a 3-1 Community Shield victory over Chelsea.

From that moment on, he wouldn’t look back.

Hernandez bagged 20 goals from 45 appearances during his maiden season at Old Trafford, instantly justifying the faith of Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Mexico international produced some big moments – with strikes against Chelsea, Stoke and West Ham all standing out.

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By the end of the season, Ferguson knew he couldn’t leave Hernandez on the bench.

And he started the 2011 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona that year at the expense of Berbatov, who was actually the club’s top scorer.

Hernandez wasn’t able to scale the same heights after that.

Rooney and Danny Welbeck were Ferguson’s preferred strike partnership in the 2011/2012 season.

And though Hernandez would win another Premier League title in 2013, he was behind both Rooney and Van Persie in Ferguson’s pecking order by that point.

For a fee of just £6m, however, two league crowns certainly means Hernandez represented impressive business.

And United now need a repeat this summer.

Ten Hag’s side are having to be frugal with their transfer budget, especially after agreeing to pay Chelsea an initial £55m for Mason Mount.

Top striker targets they like are currently out of their price range.

Tottenham and Napoli would demand over £100m for Kane and Osimhen respectively.

Similar prices have been quoted for Ramos and Hojlund, who have impressed for Benfica and Atalanta over the past year.

And though Juventus are thought to be open to selling Vlahovic, they’d want at least £60m to let the Serbia international leave.

United’s scouting network discovered Hernandez all those years ago.

And whether the club can pluck another young gem from somewhere remains to be seen.

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