Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has insisted he would play for free if he ever returned to Old Trafford.
Hernandez, who won two Premier League titles during a five-year spell with the Reds after being snapped up by Sir Alex Ferguson, has not been surprised by United’s spectacular fall from grace in the nine years since his old manager retired.
As new boss Erik ten Hag searches desperately for a new striker, the 34-year-old Mexican forward has helped LA Galaxy storm clear at the top of the MLS Western Conference - and is eying another championship medal.
But the man nicknamed Chicharito admitted that United remain close to his heart.
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Hernandez said: “If United came for me then I’d say ‘yes, I’ll play for free.’ Of course, you know, I’d do that.
“But I also want to be very respectful to my club. I am playing very consistently and in my mind my conviction is all about winning a championship with LA Galaxy.
“In the future, if things happen then they happen - but in my mind I am 100 percent with LA.”
Hernandez’s fortunes with United began to fade when Ferguson left the club in 2013 - and he was loaned out to Real Madrid a year later after David Moyes had been replaced as manager by Louis van Gaal.
He then spent the next year playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Hernandez’s view is that United were always going to suffer a decline once Ferguson left - and he believes Ronaldo’s goals can still help Ten Hag this season despite a summer spent agitating for a move.
Hernandez, who will captain the MLS team against the Mexican Liga MX side tomorrow night, said: “United need to get over the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson has gone.
“Would we like to have someone similar? Yes, yes, yes. But Sir Alex has gone and it is never going to be the same.
“It doesn't surprise me what has happened at United because in life it’s not easy having a manager for 26 years in the way that Sir Alex did it.
“One of his greatest aptitudes, in my humble opinion, was that probably seven out of 10 players who signed for United worked out.
“That’s not easy, man - not for Real Madrid or Barcelona or even for Chelsea, (Manchester) City, Liverpool or Bayern Munich.
“It is like winning the lottery. Do you think anyone you hire afterwards is going to be able to do even 80 percent of what Ferguson did?”
Hernandez added: “The problem is that the other difficulty is that United are not in the Champions League, so some players aren’t going to come.
‘Of course, some players will always want to come to Manchester United.
“If another club can offer Champions League then who do you choose? You choose the best club for your career.
“United are now in the same process that Liverpool was in when I was in England.
“So I understand what is happening with Ronaldo.
“Time will tell what is going to happen with him - but what if Ronaldo stays and scores 40 goals? That could happen.”
