The performance of Javier Hernandez in Manchester United’s 3-2 Champions League win against Braga has given Sir Alex Ferguson the mother of all headaches when deciding how to use his attacking players.
Chicharito showed last night why Manchester United have to do everything in their power to keep him at the club and stop any rumours coming from Italy from actually happening. The little Mexican showed that he can be a brilliant alternative to the other attacking players at the club and in this case he was more effective than Wayne Rooney or Robin Van Persie.
It is clear that Manchester United have problems with the current formation they are playing which involves three of the club’s four main strikers playing in attack. Hernandez is at his very best when he is given free license to go and chase a game as last night showed with United coming from 2-0 down to win the match. However, Hernandez is even more effective when the side switches to the classic 4-4-2.
The only problem with doing this is that Hernandez will struggle to get into the side ahead of Rooney or Van Persie if there are only two attacking spots open. The current formation the side is playing is a means to an end due to injuries and availability at the club. When Nani was brought on against Braga and the side played wider, ditching the diamond formation, United looked a lot more dangerous.
“The boy is improving all the time. He is fantastic in training and he’s always practising. His goal ratio for us is fantastic. For his second goal he bends around the back of the defender. It is a great ball in from Tom Cleverley but his movement is terrific. He’s given me a problem – but that’s a good thing,” said Ferguson after the match.
The options for United are simple. Wayne Rooney is never going to be dropped because he is far too effective dropping off from a straight striker position into the midfield to create an extra outlet. This means it’s a straight up battle between Robin Van Persie and Javier Hernandez for that second striker position which means the talented Danny Welbeck is going to be cast aside, for the time being.
When the pressure is on, Van Persie will be selected because of his quality and experience against the biggest sides in the Premier League and the world. However, Hernandez may now be used as a main striking option for the rest of the time that Ferguson uses the current formations he is thinking about due to those injuries. If Hernandez can keep scoring goals when he gets his chances that it becomes a straight up pecking order situation.
With United about to play away at Chelsea in the league, Hernandez may have to settle for a place on the bench if United decide to try and pack the midfield to counter Chelsea’s influential players. However, it would not be surprising to see Hernandez leading the attack with Rooney and Van Persie drifting out to the right and left to create the width.
Should Hernandez be given his chance?
image: © wonker
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