Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez does not know if it is luck or judgment which has made him the new Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Despite being at United for less than two years, Hernandez has already secured joint second spot alongside long-serving Ryan Giggs amongst the club's top-scoring substitutes.
The Mexican netted his 10th goal off the bench earlier this month as the Red Devils secured that thrilling draw at Chelsea.
Only Solskjaer has more, although as 28 of the Norwegian's 126 United goals came as a substitute, Hernandez clearly has some way to go.
Sir Alex Ferguson always felt Solskjaer's main strength was the intense way Solskjaer watched a match from the bench, which ensured he was fully prepared to take advantage of any defensive frailty when he came on.
Hernandez would appear to share the same trait, although he does not know why he has been so successful.
"I don't have the answer to what makes me effective as a substitute," he said.
"In football you can always come up with a reason for anything, perhaps it is nothing more than having a little bit of luck.
"I just know if I play one minute, or 10, or 90, I try to play the same way. My mind is always to do my best and help my team."
There is certainly a benefit to Hernandez's straightforward approach.
Rather than get bogged down analysing parts of the game he cannot control, the 23-year-old concentrates on the fundamentals.
"The only thing I can change is my attitude. I can do everything that I want with that," he said.
"There are parts of the game I cannot do anything about. But I can ensure my attitude."
Hernandez must be one of the most positive players imaginable.
Rarely does he reflect on any event without referring back to the team.
His goal against Ajax in last week's Europa League last-32 clash means he has now scored on his last three appearances, taking his overall tally to nine, level with Danny Welbeck and Dimitar Berbatov.
Not bad considering the amount of time he has been missing through injury.
Yet Ferguson can go about his work secure in the knowledge no-one will be knocking on his door demanding to know why Hernandez still cannot guarantee himself a starting spot.
"I don't care if I am on the bench," he said.
"Last year I was on the bench for a long time. I still got into the team at the end of the season.
"Every player in every team wants to play as many minutes as possible. It is the gaffer who has the answers."
Having shrugged off the injuries that caused him to endure such a stuttering start to his second season with United, it is perhaps no surprise Hernandez is starting to find the form that allowed him to make such an awesome impact during his debut campaign.
Yet, even in assessing what looks like a seamless transition to life in England, the forward adopts a level-headed approach.
"I don't think there is ever going to be a season where I can say everything is really good, or that it is really bad and I am suffering a lot.
"My first year was difficult. I had changed all my life to come here.
"The most important thing is to keep the balance.
"Sometimes football is going to give you good things. Sometimes it won't. It is part of the game.
"I just want to enjoy it because I am living a dream to play for Manchester United."
Post Comment
