Sir Alex Ferguson insists Javier Hernandez is staying at Manchester United.
The Mexican joined the Reds in 2010 for a reported £6million, and he has gone on to rack up 109 appearances in all competitions. His return of 48 goals has made him a firm favourite with the Old Trafford faithful, many of whom compare him with former club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Like the Norwegian, Hernandez has struggled to nail down a regular start for United, and this has led to speculation that he could be lured away when the window reopens in the summer. Atletico Madrid, for example, are said to be interested in the 24-year-old, with Colombian international Radamel Falcao tipped to leave the Vicente Calderon in the coming months.
Ferguson, though, insists there is no chance he would consider selling the former Guadalajara player. Although the Scot already has Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck in his squad, he believes Hernandez offers something different to his other attacking options.
“Javier is on a long-term contract. We won’t be entertaining any interest,” said Ferguson. “If his patience runs out that isn’t a problem for me. If players aren’t happy that’s great. I have no issues with the lad. He’s been brilliant, a breath of fresh air since he came here. He’s a really important player for us. He does something different to the other strikers we have.”
Whilst Hernandez has only started six times in the Premier League this season, he has been named in the XI in every FA Cup round. This is a theme which is set to continue on Easter Monday, when the Reds travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in a quarter-final replay.
The Mexico international has a particularly good record against the reigning European champions, dating back to his debut when he scored in a 3-1 Community Shield win in August 2010. He has gone on to score another six times against them in nine appearances in all competitions.
