Is Javier Hernandez Ready For His Chance?

When Manchester United travelled to Valencia without Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, there was always going to the opportunity for somebody to step up into their shoes. Well five minutes from time young Javier Hernandez took his chance with a well taken goal that will have done his hopes of breaking in to the United first team no harm.

Big things were expected from the 22-year-old Mexican forward after his arrival in England earlier this year and after a goal, all be it a fortuitous one, in the Community Shield victory over Chelsea, expectations only grew further.

While he hasn’t been able to make an impact in United’s EPL squad, Hernandez’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims the Mexican is well aware that he must be patient for his chance: “He’s young he knows that.

“He’s developing a lot in his game and getting some good strength work in the gymnasium. He still has some work to do on that aspect. You can’t get away from the fact that he’s a fantastic finisher and he showed that, when he takes his chances it’s like shelling peas, with either foot.”

For those of you who don’t Ferguson’s pea analogy, it comes from Hernandez’s nickname as ‘Chicharito‘. This translates into English as ‘Little Pea’, Hernandez’s father who was also a professional football was known in Mexico as ‘Pea’ because of his green eyes.

Chicharito’s family tree aside, he does now have an excellent chance of breaking in to the United first-team. He obviously has the ability to score goals, which is an invaluable quality, and now he has proven that he has enough about him to do it on the biggest stage, expect Hernandez to get his EPL chance sooner rather than later.

Wayne Rooney’s ankle injury may also hasten Hernandez’s Premier League involvement. While admittedly I haven’t seen that much of the youngster, from what I have seen, he has the makings of a player that could be a real asset for Ferguson. His goal against Valencia showed that he has the natural class to score goals, and I wouldn’t bet against him scoring a fair few more in Rooney’s absence.

What do you think? Is Chicharito ready for the Premier League?