Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez demands first-team football

The Mexico international spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Real Madrid but made just 11 starts in all competitions for the Spanish giants.

 

Real turned down the option to make his stay permanent this month and the 27-year-old forward will be heading back to Old Trafford, where he has one year left on his contract.

"I'm currently on holiday and awaiting news regarding my future," Hernandez told Spanish sports newspaper Marca. "I imagine I will know something soon. Real had a deadline to exercise the right to acquire my rights but they let it go.

"Right now Real are like any other club and as of now I am a Manchester United player. That's the only reality. Above all, I want to join a team where I can play and have minutes. If it's at Manchester United or another team, I will be equally happy. My priority is to play."

Last summer Hernandez chose to go out on loan as United brought in Radamel Falcao on another temporary deal, although that move did not work out and Louis van Gaal will need a re-think in the forwards department once more.

Hernandez indicated he would be happy to stay at United if there are opportunities available.

"Last summer it was a different situation," Hernandez said. "When Van Gaal arrived he wanted to restructure the team and reduce the number of players. They weren't playing in Europe and he preferred to focus on the Premier League.

"Perhaps he didn't want many players because we wouldn't have played. Now the situation is different. There will be a Champions League preliminary round to play, which means many more games and I think there might be more opportunities.

"I think I have more options to play at United next season."

Despite a lack of playing time, Hernandez did impress at Real when called upon.

He scored seven goals and set up four more in 23 league appearances for Real, who finished runners-up to Barcelona in La Liga.

Moreover, a goal from Hernandez gave Real a 1-0 victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid to put Los Blancos into a fifth straight semi-final of the Champions League.

"I have no regrets," he said. "I've given everything I had at Real.

"I'm very proud to have represented this club.

"I went through hard times but also experienced beautiful moments.

"I would be delighted if (new Real Madrid coach Rafa) Benitez called me to say he wanted my services," he said. "But what any player wants is to play. If that doesn't happen at United, I will look for a team where I will be given more playing time."