I now know who Javier Hernandez is!

When I heard Manchester United were signing a young Mexican striker called Javier Hernandez I thought Javier who?

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson paid a fee in the region of £7million and I was surprised to be honest.

Unknown

I don’t know whether it was my lack of knowledge of North American football or the fact that little was known about ‘Chicharito’ that made me question Fergie’s wisdom (rather unwisely).

Since then he has impressed at the World Cup and impressed in his short Manchester United career. He is starting to look like a real bargain.

Cult

The youngster has almost become a cult hero overnight. Manchester United was in need of a hero after Wayne Rooney threw his dummy out of the pram. He is a young player who has immense potential, who is capable of producing moments of brilliance like his back-header against Stoke last weekend.

Natural

Javier Hernandez is a natural finisher. He is a very different sort of striker to the others currently at Old Trafford. He combines pace and natural finishing ability. He may not have the technical ability of Wayne Rooney or Dimitar Berbatov but he has his own strengths.

Although it’s still early in his Manchester United career he reminds me of former-United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He looks to have the same striking instincts as the Norwegian and with Solskjaer on the United coaching staff I’m sure he will be able to help with his development.

The 22 year-old striker also works hard for the team. He obviously has to develop his game but Manchester United is one of the best clubs in the world at turning youngsters into world-class players.

Doubts

Hernandez’s father Javier Hernandez senior was a Mexican international striker but stated that he had doubts over his son making it as a professional footballer.  Maybe this has had a positive motivational effect on the youngster.

He has not only proved his dad wrong by making it as a professional football but is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Chance

With Wayne Rooney set to be sidelined for up to five weeks according to reports, Hernandez will have the chance to impress even further. If he impresses I can see him keeping the England star out of the United team.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t pay attention to reputations and Rooney could find himself sitting on the bench not having to earn his massive wage packet.

Generation

Javier Hernandez could be part of a golden generation for the Mexican national side. The youngsters coming into the full national team are full of promise.

The likes of Carlos Vela and Giovani Dos Santos along with Hernandez are the great hopes of Mexican football and it’s hoped that the national side can now make a real impact in big tournaments.

They impressed in South Africa and with slightly more experience the team could be a real threat to the established international powers.

Potential

At 22 years-old Hernandez has a lot of time to improve. He has all the attributes to become a top player at the top level of football. It’s now down to him how good he becomes. Having seen him play in recent weeks for United I’m sure he will go on to great things for both club and country.

Is Javier Hernandez being hyped up too much?