Even Manchester United players who thrived for the club have found themselves forced to come to terms with the ending of one career chapter and the start of another
Playing for a giant club like Manchester United can leave a lasting impact on a footballer to the point that leaving European club football becomes really difficult.
That was certainly the case with Javier Hernandez, who thrived after joining the club under Sir Alex Ferguson but found things tougher – including emotionally – later in his career.
Hernandez joined United in 2010, the same summer in which he announced himself to the world as part of Mexico’s World Cup squad in South Africa. It didn’t take him long to settle in English football, either, with 20 goals in all competitions helping Ferguson’s squad win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final in his first season.
He ended each of the next two seasons with double figures in the league as well, but couldn’t repeat the trick under David Moyes. By the time Louis van Gaal arrived, a path to a regular starting spot looked even more of a challenge.
The striker, affectionately known as Chicharito, was given short shrift by United’s new Dutch boss. He started Van Gaal’s first league match in charge but got just 45 minutes, departing on loan just a fortnight later. He would end up leaving permanently in the summer of 2015, joining Bayer Leverkusen.
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While Hernandez’s United career was over, he was still able to show he had more to offer in Europe’s top leagues. The Mexican averaged a goal every other game in Germany and even delivered 16 league goals during a tough spell back in England with West Ham which saw him play under three managers in two years.
A spell at Sevilla was less successful, though, and he left the Spanish club after just a few months to move to Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in January 2020. There were more positives to come for the striker, but he was visibly tearful when recognising the start of a new chapter meant the end of an old one in Europe.
“I wanted to speak to you guys because the thing is about to get done,” Hernandez, who is now 37 years of age, said in an emotional video. “It’s almost certain that I’m going to LA. It’s okay, everything is perfect, it’s only that, well it’s like the beginning of my retirement.”
The striker’s father attempted to chip in, but the crying striker wouldn’t be interrupted. “Dad, try to understand me,” he added.
“Don’t worry, look, what I mean is that we’re saying goodbye to a career that we put a lot of effort on and we worked, and I know you guys also feel it. We’re going to look at the bright side, but whether we like it or not we are retiring from the European dream.”
The European dream might have been over for Hernandez but the new chapter brought more goals. He scored 39 times in 82 Galaxy outings before returning to CD Guadalajara, the club where it all began for him before that big adventure across the Atlantic.
A fairytale return produced just four goals in 39 appearances, though, and his release was confirmed last month. He remains a free agent and an official retirement announcement is yet to transpire,
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