Manchester United Transfer News: Chicharito Discusses Louis Van Gaal Snub, More

Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez was reportedly told he had a "one percent" chance of playing up front for the Red Devils this season by manager Louis van Gaal, leading him to depart for Bayer Leverkusen.  

According to Marca, he told Movistar+ the following: "I spoke with Van Gaal and he said that I only had a 1% chance of playing in my position, so I headed to Bayer. I felt confident from the very first day. I feel important, not just because of my goals, but because I feel that I'll start every game."

The Mexican was controversially allowed to depart Old Trafford in the summer, despite that leaving United with only the out-of-form Wayne Rooney and teenagers Anthony Martial and James Wilson as their centre-forward options for the season. Per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Van Gaal had apparently already made up his mind:

Hernandez also elaborated on the summer before, when he elected to go to Real Madrid based on a conversation with Van Gaal: "He told me that I'd have to fight for my place, but that if the right offer came up I should take it. Real Madrid came in for me and it wasn't a tough decision."

The striker's departure is likely a source of immense frustration to United fans.

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

After racking up nine goals and nine assists for Los Blancos in just 1,353 minutes—meaning he contributed to a goal every 75 minutes he was on the pitch—Hernandez has bagged 17 goals and an assist with his new side.

By contrast, United have faltered in the final third, as Squawka Football revealed:

There was clearly something about the unassuming and often underrated striker that left Van Gaal unconvinced, but not only was he already a proven goalscorer at the Premier League level—something United sorely need right now—he's now showing his ability to rack up a prolific number of goals when given a run in a team.

Hernandez had nothing but good things to say about former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson though, with whom he enjoyed three seasons and two Premier League titles. The 27-year-old paints a wholly different picture to that of the incumbent Dutchman: "I'm so grateful to Ferguson. I think he's the best there's ever been, especially his squad management skills. Every player had his place. A squad player could still play 15 games a season. He opened the door to Europe for me and I won two league titles there."

Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press

With every goal he scores, Hernandez proves the decision to let him go was that much more bizarre, and he's showing little sign of slowing down following the recognition he can be more than just a squad player to bring on from the bench.

His success also piles yet more pressure on Van Gaal, as he could have made a real difference to United's season.

It's not all doom and gloom at Old Trafford, and the defensively solid team are still firmly in the title race, but the sale of the popular striker and United's resulting problems mean patience is certainly wearing thin in some quarters.