Hernandez Under Pressure

Javier Hernandez will be one of the few Manchester United players under real pressure at St James’ Park.

Hernandez has been a real find for United as he cost only £6 million before the World Cup. Float him on a market where Fernando Torres is sold for £50 million and Andy Carroll for £35 million then he should at least make four times the amount the club paid for him.

Hernandez will be under pressure against Newcastle but it will not be a cloak and dagger pressure but a more subtle form. Hernandez is only enjoying an extended run in the side because Dimitar Berbatov could not maintain his fantastic start to the season.

The Mexican has dipped a little over the last few games and it may not be too long until Berbatov is given his regular place back. Only Hernandez can score the goals that will keep him in the side until the end of the season and this may include a Champions League final appearance.

Hernandez has many qualities that will be a real pain for Newcastle to cope with. Hernandez is as quick as anyone else in the Manchester United team. Pace is the biggest asset that any striker can have because it puts the opposition defence on the back foot almost immediately.

The Mexican play maker is learning all the time and his runs are becoming more intelligent. However, there are certain aspects of his game where he is nowhere near as good as Berbatov. Hernandez struggles to hold the ball up if United are trying to counter attack which means loss of possession and allowing the opposition to stay forward.

He cannot bully a defence in the same way as Berbatov but Sir Alex Ferguson will know that this is a part of Hernandez’s game that can be worked on. Hernandez doesn’t seem like a short term signing in any sense. He has already played well above expectations and it’s frightening to think how good he may be in two or three seasons.