Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has backed Real Madrid’s appointment of Rafael Benitez as he leaves the door open for a move back to the Bernabeu.
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The Mexican striker spent last year on loan with the Spanish giants having been deemed surplus to requirements by Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.
The forward had a mixed campaign; he scored seven goals in 23 performances in La Liga, but only managed seven league starts, with former Merengues boss Carlo Ancelotti preferring other options.
In the Champions League, he managed only one goal—which came in the quarter-final aggregate victory over fierce rivals Atletico Madrid.
Hernandez’s fine form in April—he scored four and contributed three assists in six matches—had raised speculation that he would move to the Spanish capital permanently [via The Guardian]. However, Real did not make the loan permanent while the Mexican was with them [via the Daily Mail], and the departure of Ancelotti may have ended the 27-year-old’s hopes of remaining at the club.
However, speaking to Reuters, he expressed confidence that Benitez would be aware of his qualities.
“Ancelotti was my manager but Rafa is not,” he began.
“He doesn’t need to speak with me because I was on loan from United.
“But I am very calm because thankfully the last two months for me in Real Madrid were very good and I proved a lot of things. So that gave me a lot of self-confidence and security for my future.”
Chicharito also went on to praise Real’s decision to appoint the former Liverpool boss.
“I think Rafa knows me. He’s a really good manager and I think he’s going to do a great job in Madrid.”
Hernandez closed by confirming that a stay at Old Trafford was not completely off the cards, while also admitting that he may move to another side altogether.
“I don’t know where I am going to stay, if it’s one of those teams (United or Real) or another team. So right now I’m just enjoying my holidays.”
United themselves may have need for striking reinforcements; Radamel Falcao has returned to AS Monaco following the end of his loan deal [via the club’s official website] while Robin van Persie has been linked with a move away from the club. Juventus, Lazio and Galatasaray are all interested in the Dutchman [via the Daily Star].