Javier Hernandez: Recent Play Proves Chicharito Should Start More Often

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has been in fantastic form recently, and even though the Red Devils have an embarrassment of riches at striker, the Mexican international should be featured in the starting 11 more often. 

While Hernandez is pitted against Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie for playing time atop United’s formation, he has shown this season that he has continued to blossom into a world-class player.

In addition, Chicarito proved in the team’s most recent Champions League match that he can coexist with both Rooney and Van Persie. Playing alongside United’s two biggest stars, it was the 24-year-old who shined brighter than anyone on the pitch, scoring a brace against Braga.

That fine performance did not earn him a place in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting lineup in United’s English Premier League Showdown with Chelsea, but Hernandez was brought on as a substitute.

He made the most of his opportunity and netted the game-winning goal in the 75th minute, although the strike did come under controversial circumstances. Chicharito appeared to be in an offside position when Rafael’s pass was delivered, but the linesman’s flag stayed down and Hernandez tapped the ball past Petr Cech.

Regardless of the referee’s questionable decision, Hernandez has three goals in two matches and has looked dangerous during every minute he has spent on the field in recent matches.

He is extremely intelligent with his movement and knows how to find space in the penalty area. Against Braga, he showed how lethal he could be with his head and has proved throughout his career that he is an efficient finisher.

Both Rooney and Van Persie are fantastic distributors. Rooney in particular is able to find success when dropping back and playing behind the strikers.

These two players’ versatility makes them ideal complements to Chicharito, who excels when sitting on the opposing team’s centre-backs. When all three players are attacking, defenses will lose track of the slippery striker as Rooney and Van Persie both garner a significant amount of attention.

Playing with Van Persie and Hernandez as forwards, United has two of the Premiership’s best finishers. To back them up, Sir Alex has excellent distributors such as Antonio Valencia, Shinji Kagawa (when healthy) and Tom Cleverely, in addition to Rooney.

Chicharito’s presence on the pitch makes United a significantly more dangerous attacking team, and as long as he is in his current form, he should be included in the starting 11 as often as possible.