Javier Hernandez has revealed that he wasn't upset about leaving Manchester United because the club had changed significantly by the time of his exit. The 38-year-old Mexican striker, who won two Premier League titles with United, said the departures of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill altered the club's environment.
Departure from Old Trafford
Hernandez joined United in 2010 from Guadalajara and scored 20 goals in 45 games in his first season. He became a cult hero at Old Trafford due to his goal-scoring ability and aerial prowess, but his playing time decreased under David Moyes, leading to a loan spell at Real Madrid in 2014. He was then sold to Bayer Leverkusen for £7m by Louis van Gaal in 2015.
Reasons for not being upset
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the Atletico Dallas striker said: "It was very hard. Because if you gave me the chance to stay at United for most of my career, I would have taken it." He added: "I am not that upset that I left. I would have taken a bullet for that team. It’s my team, Manchester United. But things weren’t the same."
Hernandez explained that his loan at Real Madrid helped him cope with the later exit, saying: "Something that helped me a little bit was [that] before I left United, I went to play for Real Madrid. So that gave me something like, if they don't value me in United, let me find a club." He scored 40 goals in two seasons at Leverkusen.
Reflecting on his United career
He said: "But yes, realistically, I was very sad. Don’t get me wrong. I would have retired at United and I would take a bullet for that team. But it wasn’t the same team as the team that embraced me and gave me my first opportunity." Hernandez ended his United tenure with 59 goals in 157 games across all competitions.
