Chicharito agrees to a new five-year deal with Manchester United

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) has reportedly agreed to a new five-year deal with the club. United have yet to officially announce the deal but Chicharito's agent, Eduardo Hernandez, had this to say to ESPN Deportes:

"The initial contract was good for Manchester and for Javier because it enabled them both to see if they could fit together and if he could achieve what was expected of him. Both sides have met their expectations and United were happy to reward Javier after his very good performances last season. I will not talk about numbers, but it is a five-year contract. It is a fixed salary with incentives based on the team's success in each of the different tournaments. Javier was not badly paid with his initial contract, but it was his first contract and, with respect, not comparable with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Nani. But today I can say that the contract has just been signed and everyone is satisfied."

Rumors have existed for months now that Real Madrid was interested in the striker but Hernandez (the agent) indicated that it has been a priority for United to improve on the current contract between the player and club:

"It was never likely that Javier would leave.Talks began some time ago and United came up with a very good offer and I have nothing but praise for the way they have recognised Javier's performances."

Chicharito was initially brought to United in the summer of 2010 from Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara -- in what at the time was a surprising move -- for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £8 million. He then went on to score 20 goals in his debut season for United in all competitions and eventually replaced Dimitar Berbatov -- the English Premier League's co-Golden Boot winner last season -- as first-choice to partner Wayne Rooney up top in the attack. This included his selection into the starting XI last May during the UEFA Champions League final. 

Chicharito missed the early stages of the current campaign due to a concussion suffered in training during United's preseason tour through the United States. Despite appearing in six league matches thus far -- four of which have been starts -- the 23-year-old has further dealt with what the club describes as a "dead leg." When healthy and in-form, the Mexican striker is regarded as the first-choice to partner Rooney in the United attack. Despite facing stiff competition to remain first-choice alongside Rooney, his future appears to be promising at the club.

This new deal follows the new four-year deal signed by Tom Cleverley just days ago. It is also expected that the club is working on a new deal for young striker Danny Welbeck as well. In the past calendar year, United has given 13 players new deals -- this includes Anderson, Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Michael Owen, Park Ji-sung, Rafael, Rooney, Chris Smalling, and Antonio Valencia.

One player that has not received a new deal is Berbatov . His current contract expires after the current season but it is believed that United have the option of extending that contract for another year. Even if United do exercise that right, it is possible it is only done to increase his value for a possible transfer. With Welbeck appearing to leap ahead of him in the pecking order at striker, it wouldn't be shocking to see the talented Berbatov end up plying his trade elsewhere after the upcoming January transfer window or after next summer's transfer window. 

With Rooney, Chicharito, and Weleck, the future appears bright for the Reds at striker.