Chicharito 'had a 1 percent chance of playing' at Manchester United
Javier Hernandez said he left Manchester United this summer after manager Louis van Gaal gave him "a one percent chance of playing" for the club.
"Chicharito," as he is affectionately named, completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen on the penultimate day of the transfer window, and has since enjoyed the best form of his European career. He has 15 goals in his last 12 matches in all competitions - more than United as a whole over the same stretch.
"I spoke with Van Gaal and he said that I only had a one percent chance of playing in my position, so I headed to Bayer," Hernandez told Spanish television, as quoted by Marca. "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."
Van Gaal has struggled all season to coax offence out of his side. He brought in 19-year-old Anthony Martial for £36 million, and it appeared to pay off. Martial scored four goals in his first four games with the Red Devils.
But he has just one tally in his last 10 appearance, and captain Wayne Rooney has been just as inconsistent.
Related: Bayer Leverkusen executive denies Javier Hernandez was signed for publicity
Hernandez made just three appearances as a substitute for United before the move to Germany. But even before that, Van Gaal had little faith in the 27-year-old Mexican, who spent the previous season on loan at Real Madrid.
"He told me that I'd have to fight for my place, but that if the right offer came up I should take it," said Hernandez. "Real Madrid came in for me and it wasn't a tough decision."
He is not, however, bitter about his time in England, and expressed gratitude to former boss Sir Alex Ferguson for giving him the honour of being the first Mexican to suit up for United in 2010.
"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."
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