Hernandez Gunning for Arsenal

Javier Hernandez is one of the only Manchester United players who has shown a consistent ability to produce when he’s been called on this season.

No one would blame Hernandez if he argued in the media that he hadn’t been given a fair run in the side since he switched from his childhood Mexican club last summer. However, he is a credit to the game because he is the perfect example of a player who gives everything for his team and never stops running.

Hernandez could get a start in the match against Arsenal because United are desperately short of wide players. This would mean Wayne Rooney playing a wider role and freeing up a position in the attack of the team for Hernandez to fill.

He is certainly good enough and can play in a number of different ways for the team. He’s at his best when he’s given a Lionel Messi type role and is allowed to drift in between the straight lines of the opposition. This makes him difficult to mark and also pulls defenders out of positions creating space.

He can also play on the shoulder of the defence because there are United players good enough to play him in behind. His pace is frightening and this allows him to get away from the defence after he manages to stay onside.

Hernandez has also showed all season long that he has a great instinct in front of goal. Some of the goals he has scored have been perfect examples of improvisation where a player will do whatever it takes to legally get the ball into the goal. His backward header against Stoke in the Premier League is a good example of this.

It is worrying to think how many goals Hernandez will score in a full season once he has managed to get himself into the United team on a permanent basis. For now, he seems content to make the most of his chances and to never stop trying. His goal against Liverpool last weekend was an effort not many other strikers would have bothered with.

Hernandez should start in attack for United against Arsenal replacing Nani.