Little pea proves his big worth for Man United

MANCHESTER, England, (Reuters) – Javier Hernandez  enhanced his burgeoning reputation with two predatory goals to  lift Manchester United into the Champions League quarter-finals  with a 2-1 win over Olympique Marseille yesterday.

Known as “Chicharito”, and wearing the nickname “Little Pea”  on his shirt, the Mexican striker tapped in from close range in  the fifth minute and again in the 75th as United beat the French  champions 2-1 on aggregate.

His lively combinations with Wayne Rooney, winger Nani and  substitute Antonio Valencia made up for United’s frailties in a  makeshift defence where centre back Wes Brown headed into his  own net in the 82nd minute to ensure a nervous finale.

“He (Hernandez) is a real handful,” Ferguson told a news  conference with the air of contentment to be expected when a  good value purchase turns out to be worth a lot more.

“I think we are surprised (at how he has progressed since  joining last July). When we brought him we thought it would take  some time to adjust at the club, his main roles were as a  substitute.
“But now he has adjusted to the physical part very well and  is lasting 90 minutes very well and that’s given us great  options.”

United paid a reported 7 million pounds ($11.26 million) for  Hernandez to Mexican side Guadalajara and Ferguson has said the  club’s scouts saved a fortune by identifying him as a transfer  target before he shone at last year’s World Cup.

He has scored 16 goals this season, injected pace into the  side and inspired striker Wayne Rooney to rediscover his  creative touch in a deep-lying position while keeping top scorer  Dimitar Berbatov on the bench. “His movement is fantastic — I think Wayne is thriving on  that,” said Ferguson, who must be delighted his strikers are  coming into form after a wobble in their quest for a record 19th  Premier League title with back-to-back defeats.

EXPERIENCE LACKING

Javier Hernandez

The back four was threatened by Marseille who were unlucky  when Andre-Pierre Gignac fired over the bar and unmarked  Soulemayne Diawara headed wide with only Edwin van der Sar to  beat.

Usual centre backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic were  ruled out through injury and Chris Smalling and Wes Brown were  thrown together, with John O’Shea and Rafael forced off with  injuries during the game to compound the problems.

“The balance of the team moved quite a lot with two  defenders coming off,” said Ferguson. “There is a lack of  experience there and that could have cost us.”

Hernandez’s verve was not just reserved for attack as having  tried to charge down a goal kick he sprinted a third of the way  across the pitch to intercept the start of a Marseille  counter-attack early in the second half.

Usually referred to by his nickname, which came about  because his father — also named Javier and a former Mexico  striker — was known as “chicharo” (pea) because of his green  eyes, he may soon be worthy of a nickname in his own right.