Former Manchester United striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has been ripping it up in the Bundesliga. His December 15th hat trick powered Bayer Leverkusen to a 5-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach. It was Gladbach’s first loss in 10 games and three months. Coincidentally, it came at the same time that United suffered their worst defeat of the season 2-1 at Bournemouth.
For Chicharito, that epic performance brought him his 15th goal in 12 games.
Given all the struggles that United have had in the goal-scoring department, Red Devils supporters are left to wonder what might have been. Hernandez was never really given much of a chance under Louis van Gaal and today, Hernandez explained why he believes his form has really taken off this season. It’s not about self-confidence; it’s all about playing time.
“What I was missing in the last two or three years, it was like I was playing sometimes and then returning to the bench,” Chicharito told the Orlando Sentinel.
“But now that I am playing most of the game or almost all of my games here in my club, that’s what I need.”
“Because people sometimes think the confidence is with goals, but I don’t think like that. I think confidence is to play day-by-day, to get rhythm.”
Bayer is currently in Orlando for the Florida Cup Tournament Sante Fe (Colombia) on Sunday and Internacional (Brazil) on Jan. 13.
Chicharito had previously explained why he left United, saying in a previous interview that Van Gaal gave him a “1% chance” of playing this season.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous television and radio talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.