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James GoldmanPublished Jan 25, 2024, 8:14am|Updated Jan 25, 2024, 8:15am
Sir Alex Ferguson has congratulated Javier Hernandez ahead of an emotional return to his boyhood club Chivas.
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The 35-year-old has spent the last three years in the MLS with LA Galaxy but his returning to his homeland to finish his career with the team which launched his professional career.
Having recovered from a serious knee injury which he sustained back in June, Hernandez will enjoy one last dance back in Mexico before he hangs up his boots for good.
The veteran striker joined United as an almost total unknown following the 2010 World Cup but quickly earned cult hero status at Old Trafford, playing a key role in two Premier League title-winning campaigns.
Nicknames ‘Little Pea’ Hernandez represented one of the best bargain signings of Ferguson’s United tenure and the club’s legendary former manager was delighted to see his former charge being granted a fitting end to his goal-laden career.
‘Chicharito, it’s your old boss here. First of all I want to congratulate you on your return to your old club, back to Mexico where it all started where I found you, signed you and you were a great, fantastic player for us.
‘You’ve had a great career and I think now you’ve an opportunity at your old club to add your experience and give your experience to all the players there.
‘So regards to your family, have a great family and more goals to come!’
After his United stint came to an end, Hernandez enjoyed successful spells at Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, but his bond with the Premier League giants never wavered.
Speaking in a recent episode of United’s club podcast, he said: ‘Manchester United is always going to be my team. I’m very grateful for Real Madrid, Sevilla, Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham, all of them.
‘I still love them and I’m going to be grateful forever but honestly, I feel it that you’re once a Red, always a Red.
‘What I experienced, what I lived, I can say that I was the only Mexican under Sir Alex Ferguson, I scored the last goal under him, I am the only Mexican who has won the Premier League so far.
‘I hope more Mexican players can be in a United shirt, I will love it. But I am the only Mexican who has won the Premier League and then twice and it was the 19th and 20th titles.’
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