Chicharito eyes further improvement

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez wants to ‘contribute much more’ in his second season at the English Premier League champions.

Mexico international Hernandez scored 20 goals in 2010/11 despite often starting on the bench, as United won a record 19th league title and reached the final of the Champions League.

Also known as Chicharito, the 23-year-old attributes the phenomenal start to his Old Trafford career to the warm welcome he received upon arrival in Manchester in July 2010.

He said he was determined to reward the faith of the fans by developing even further this season.

“I’ve been treated wonderfully in Manchester, and I simply need to repay that faith. I had a very good first season and I hope to be able to contribute much more,” he told FIFA.com.

“I think there are good times ahead with this team and I’m very excited about the opportunities ahead in the coming season.”

Hernandez was also quick to cite the support of his family and knowledge of English as key reasons for being able to settle so quickly in Manchester after his move from Chivas Guadalajara.

“Moving to a new country is always difficult, but the fact my dad and my sister came to live with me was a huge help,” he said. “That made things easier.”

“In fact, what I miss most about Mexico isn’t the food or the customs, it’s my family and the way we’d all sit around chatting together on an evening.”

“I spoke (English) pretty well when I first arrived here, and since then I’ve been improving bit by bit, understanding more and more and speaking better.”

“But the truth is that knowing English was a massive help, because it meant I could communicate in the dressing room and get to know my colleagues more quickly.”