Javier Hernandez, Manchester United's new Mexican striker, has netted  four goals in as many pre-season games.
Javier Hernandez, Manchester United's new Mexican striker, has netted four goals in as many pre-season games.

Ferguson may have unearthed a gem in Hernandez



Paul Scholes considers him "an out-an-out goalscorer" while Ryan Giggs says "he has the extra quality that makes a difference", adding that "towards the end of last season we needed that player who could come off the bench and change a game."

Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, added: "He has had a good start. He is an intelligent player with tremendous pace and penetration. The Mexican league is tough, so bringing players to England from there is not going to be a problem." Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, 22, has yet to play a league game for United, but the excitement is tangible among teammates and fans. Unrealistic expectations often greet any striker who signs for United and plenty have failed to live up to the hype, from Diego Forlan to Dimitar Berbatov.

It is early for Hernandez and Ferguson was careful not to heap too much expectation on the striker who has been compared to a young Michael Owen for his speed and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his propensity to find the goal, but the grass looks even greener for Hernandez. Chicarito - (the "Little Pea" as his father, a former Mexican international was "The Pea" because of his green eyes) cost just £6 million (Dh35.1m).

Unknown outside his homeland a year ago, he burst on to the scene for Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico's top league, scoring 29 goals in 79 games before gaining international recognition. The fee already looks like a bargain after his performances in the World Cup where he scored twice. Hernandez was the perfect signing for United in many ways. The Old Trafford club dislike it when teams they are dealing with leak details to the media. United were so impressed with Chivas at keeping the deal under wraps that they sent a first-team squad last month to play in a friendly to open their new stadium.

Hernandez played the first half for his former club against United and scored with a left-footed first-time strike. It was one of four goals in four pre-season games, all notable for their variety. There was a chip against the Major League Soccer All Stars in Houston, a clinical right foot strike in Dublin last week and then a goal in Sunday's Community Shield success against Chelsea, where he kicked the ball against his nose and into the net.

Knowing that he is fast becoming the most talked about signing of the summer, Ferguson prevented him from doing interviews after the game in a bid to calm expectations. In previous encounters with the media, Hernandez has shown in English and Spanish that he is bright and level-headed. His signing has delighted United's commercial arm. United look for value in the market, which they usually find in emerging talent. And just as Ji-sung Park helped United's brand in Korea, so the Mexican has boosted United's appeal in the Spanish speaking market and the Old Trafford club have launched a Spanish version of their website.

But principally, he was bought for footballing reasons. "Javier is a goal poacher," Giggs told reporters after the Chelsea game. "His overall movement and ability to find space is really good. Hopefully he can get us a lot of goals this year. He has started pre-season well and I am sure he will be a great player for us." @Email:sports@thenational.ae

In the Restaurant: Society in Four Courses
Christoph Ribbat
Translated by Jamie Searle Romanelli
Pushkin Press 

The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Three ways to boost your credit score

Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:

1. Make sure you make your payments on time;

2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

UAE%20FIXTURES
%3Cp%3EWednesday%2019%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Kuwait%3Cbr%3EFriday%2021%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Hong%20Kong%3Cbr%3ESunday%2023%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Singapore%3Cbr%3EWednesday%2026%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Bahrain%3Cbr%3ESaturday%2029%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Semi-finals%3Cbr%3ESunday%2030%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Third%20position%20match%3Cbr%3EMonday%201%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Final%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Sanchez's club career

2005-2006: Cobreloa

2006-2011 Udinese

2006-2007 Colo-Colo (on loan)

2007-2008 River Plate (on loan)

2011-2014 Barcelona

2014–Present Arsenal

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
MATCH INFO

Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5