Chicha braced for Basel

23/11/2011 12:24, Report by Adam Bostock

Javier Hernandez would be a fitting hero on 7 December if he scores for United in Switzerland, a country synonymous with precision.

The prolific Mexican has netted the Reds’ only goal in three of his last four away games – the equaliser against Liverpool and the winners at Everton and Swansea. His uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time could be crucial again when Sir Alex Ferguson's men meet FC Basel for a place in the Champions League's last 16.

"We will go to Basel to win the game," Chicharito told MUTV, dismissing thoughts that United may settle for the point sufficient to go through with new Group C leaders Benfica.

"We have lost two home points against Benfica but this is football. Benfica are a strong team, unbeaten this season, and they played very well against us.

"We are still in the fight, we have nine points and we will go to Switzerland to get another three. We are Manchester United and we never give up, we work very hard for every game."

If the Reds go through as runners-up, the leaders of the other groups will lie in wait in the draw. Currently they include Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, as well as two teams United would not be allowed to face, fellow English clubs Arsenal and Chelsea.

"First we need to qualify and then look at which teams we will play," added Chicharito.

source : Manutd

Hernandez hails youth benefit at Manchester United

COMPETITION ... Javier Hernandez has hailed the depth of Man Utd's squad

JAVIER HERNANDEZ believes Manchester United's youngsters are keeping the established players motivated.

The 23-year-old may be considered a first-choice forward alongside Wayne Rooney but Danny Welbeck has made a big impression this season.

And with the likes of fellow-youngster Phil Jones making an immediate impact after his summer transfer from Blackburn, Hernandez thinks there is a healthy rivalry within the squad.

The Mexico international said: "You look around on the training pitch and there are almost 30 players but only 11 can start a game so it's tough.

"It's not a problem. I've come to learn that there will always be competition, at any club.

"You'll always have disappointments. It helps you improve, though.

"On the training ground everybody wants to do their best, they want to prove what they can do and earn a spot in the team.

"We have a lot of young players who are hungry to do well and that helps inspire the rest of the squad.

"They may have been here for many years and won a lot of trophies but they still have a lot of desire.

"I think we have a good mix of youth and experience and that will be very important for us." 

source : The Sun

Chicha: Life is amazing

13/11/2011 12:09, Report by Nick Coppack

"In some ways I’m still getting used to wearing this shirt and being around these incredible players, seeing my name on a Manchester United teamsheet... it’s amazing. Some days I wake up and I just can’t believe it." – Javier Hernandez

In part two, Javier Hernandez talks to Inside United and ManUtd.com about his love for Manchester United, competition for starting berths and training in the snow.

Missed part one? Read it now in our exclusive interviews section. or in this site

Just how much are you enjoying life at United? 

It’s unbelievable. In some ways I’m still getting used to wearing this shirt and being around these incredible players, seeing my name on a Manchester United teamsheet... it’s amazing. Some days I wake up and I just can’t believe it. I’m living in this great country, playing for the best club in the world in the best league in the world. I’m so thankful for that.

It’s now even harder to win a spot in the Reds’ attack with Danny Welbeck, Mame Biram Diouf and Kiko Macheda all back in the United squad. How do you deal with the competition? 

It’s not a problem. I’ve come to learn that there will always be competition, at any club. You look around on the training pitch and there are almost 30 players, but only 11 can start a game. So it’s tough. You’ll always have disappointments. It helps you improve, though. On the training ground everybody wants to do their best, they want to prove what they can do and earn a spot in the team.

Did you know much about Welbeck before the start of this season? 

Yes, I’d seen him play quite a few times, and not only last year when he was on loan at Sunderland. I remember when I was in Mexico and I was watching Manchester United on television – Danny was just starting to come into the team and be given a few chances. You could see he had a lot of potential then, and was improving all the time. He was a good prospect then and now he’s even better. He’s had a great start to the season.

You haven’t scored from outside the area for United yet – though we know you can score those goals from your time at Chivas! What are the chances that you’ll fire one in from long-range this season? 

You never know! I think part of the reason I haven’t done that yet is because of the instructions I receive from Sir Alex. My job is to play very high, right on the last man. To be honest I don’t mind how I score goals – whether or not you score from one metre or from the halfway line, it counts the same. A goal is a goal.

You’ve been a very busy footballer in the last few seasons, playing in summer international tournaments as well as the regular season. Do you ever worry about doing too much, or are you happy you get enough rest? 

No, not at all. I love to play football. If somebody wants me to play in outer space then I’ll do it! I’d be happy to. Sometimes you can look at the schedule for Manchester United and for the national team and think, “Wow, this is a lot.” But I grew up wanting to play football and now I’m lucky it’s my job. I love it.

Sometimes players from the warmer countries can’t get used to the climate in England. Are you ready for your second Manchester winter? 

It was very different! Very cold. I’d never seen a winter like that anywhere. It was the coldest one for many years. And maybe it felt even colder for me because I spent something like 22 winters in Mexico and a winter in Mexico isn’t like winter at all. It never snows! Training in the snow was a bit of a challenge, but it was all new to me so I enjoyed it.

Winning the 19th league title last season was a huge achievement for United. Can this squad lift the trophy again?

I’m sure we can do it. We have a lot of young players who are hungry to do well, and that helps inspire the rest of the squad. They may have been here for many years and won a lot of trophies, but they still have a lot of desire. I think we have a good mix of youth and experience, and that will be very important for us.

source : Manutd

Chicharito: I almost quit

11/11/2011 12:10, Report by Nick Coppack

"I talked a lot with my parents, my grandparents, my sister and my girlfriend about my situation, and they helped me realise that this is what I was meant to do. I know now that I’m a very lucky guy and I’m glad I made the decision to keep playing." – Javier Hernandez

For the last 18 months defenders have struggled to pin down United's fast-moving, fast-talking goal machine, Javier Hernandez. 

Thankfully, the club's official monthly magazine, Inside United, managed to halt the speedy Mexican for long enough to speak to him about his first impressions of Old Trafford, comparisons to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the day he almost quit football all together.

You can read part one below. Part two will follow on Sunday...

A few years ago, in Mexico, you thought about quitting football – how close did you come?
Very close. It was about three years ago and I had a lot of questions about whether or not this was the path God wanted me to follow. I wasn’t playing much football, I was being kept in the Reserves... I was disappointed younger players were coming through and getting ahead of me, and it really got me down, even away from football. I talked a lot with my parents, my grandparents, my sister and my girlfriend about my situation, and they helped me realise that this is what I was meant to do. I know now that I’m a very lucky guy and I’m glad I made the decision to keep playing. That experience taught me a lot. Sometimes, if you want something, but you don’t have it, then you can get mad with everyone around you and mad with yourself. I learnt it’s important to enjoy your life and enjoy your football. Ultimately, only God knows what path you will take and whether or not you will fulfil your dreams.

There is a perception that in ‘Latin’ countries, Real Madrid and Barcelona are acclaimed as the two biggest clubs in the world. What is the general view of Manchester United in Mexico?I am definitely aware the interest has increased since I have been at Old Trafford [laughs]. I’m so thankful to my Mexican fans, though – I have only nice things to say about them and I’m very grateful for their support. But even before I signed, Manchester United was huge, definitely one of the biggest clubs. And it’s not only in South America. In the USA in pre-season, you could see how many people came to watch the team and look for autographs outside the hotel. I read something recently that said the club had something like 330 million fans in the world. That’s amazing. I’ve also seen some footage from when United went to Asia in 2009. The love that people have for this club is spread all over the world and it’s an honour to play here. If you say the words ‘Manchester United’ in any part of the world, people know who you’re talking about.

You watched United play Bayern Munich at Old Trafford on your first trip to Manchester. What do you remember about that experience, and what were your first impressions of the stadium and the fans?
It was an unbelievable feeling. I remember the atmosphere around the ground. It was such an important game and you could really feel it – the fans were great. I couldn’t believe I was sitting inside Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams. This was something I had only ever seen on television, only dreamt of being inside. I had heard so many people talk about Old Trafford, but to be there was something very special. It made me so excited to know that in three or four months I might be playing there.

You were visibly upset after the Champions League final against Barcelona. Is that the biggest disappointment you’ve had in your career so far?No, not at all. Far from it. It was difficult, sure, but if you ask every person in the world if they want to play in a Champions League final for one of the biggest clubs, then I think they would say yes.

It was a fantastic experience in my first season at the club. There are more positives than negatives from a personal point of view. The one big negative, of course, is that we lost the match. At least I know that we have a strong team and we have every chance of reaching another final. I’m confident there will be more opportunities for success in the future. So although it was disappointing not to win, those are the kind of occasions you aim to be involved in as a footballer. I’ve definitely had worse moments in football.

You suffered a concussion during pre-season, which meant you missed the start of this campaign; how did you get the knock and how do you feel now?I just headed the ball on the wrong part of my head. It was a very strong cross, the ball moved in the air, and it hit me on the back of my head. A bit like the goal against Stoke, except a lot harder! It was a little scary, of course. I think all injuries – in football or in life – are scary and it’s never nice to have bad headaches or be throwing up. But I knew I would be OK. This had happened twice before in Mexico, when I’d clashed heads with another player. So I knew what was happening to me, I knew the symptoms and knew I’d feel OK again.

What’s your impression of defenders in the Premier League?There are a lot of differences to the defenders in Mexico, but I think a lot of that is down to the style of play. I think you have to play differently in every position. The Premier League is quicker, it’s more physical, so you have to adapt. I would say defenders in England have to be a lot sharper, ready to make a tackle or a block in a split second. Because of that, I think some of the best defenders in the world play here – they have to, because the strikers are so good. But I can’t single out one defender over another as my toughest opponent. If I’m honest, I’ve never had an easy game in the Premier League.

People have compared you to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – had you heard of him before you joined United?
Of course. He was a legend at this club, just an unbelievable player. When all the people made those comparisons, the only thing I can say is that I’m not even 10 per cent of Ole. He was incredible. Just turn on MUTV and watch any of the old footage featuring him – he was special. To be honest, I don’t like comparisons very much. Back in Mexico I was always being compared with my father, who was also a striker, and I never liked that. I think everybody is different and deserves to be judged on their own.

source : Manutd