LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney believes former Manchester United striker and his captain Javier Hernandez will be out of action for the remainder of the MLS season.
Hernandez has been a key player for the Los Angeles team since he joined in 2020 from La Liga side Sevilla. During this time he has scored 39 goals in 83 appearances and has established himself as the skipper too.
This season started poorly for Chicharito after he suffered a muscle injury which kept him out of the opening five MLS fixtures. Upon his return, the 35-year-old scored once in all competitions before suffering a serious knee injury during the defeat to Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup.
The incident occurred in the 27th minute when Hernandez took control of the ball on the edge of the penalty area before crashing to the floor in pain. A statement last Friday confirmed he suffered an ACL injury which will require surgery.
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When asked about the injury after the match last week, Vanney confirmed Hernandez will miss the rest of the campaign, which finishes in October, but said he was hopeful the Mexico international would return to being a key player in due course.
"I am gutted for him," said Vanney. "Obviously this is never an injury you want anyone to have to deal with, it is a tough one and it is a long period of time and work to do to get yourself back. I know with his work rate, with his passion and desire to be out there, he is going to do the work and put himself in a position to come back and continue to play the game.
"It is always a tough moment and the team has to process it too. He is the captain, a guy who is a leader for the group, so the group has to process the fact that he won't be with us for the rest of this year and keep attacking the next game."
The MLS will return in February by which point it is hoped Hernandez will return. LA Galaxy are currently struggling down in 13th in the MLS Western Conference, seven points adrift of the Final Series playoff spots.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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