Javier Hernández explains Manchester United exit

The criticism of Louis van Gaal has only been exacerbated by the recent form of Javier Hernández, who was sold to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. The Mexican striker has netted 19 goals already for club and country this season, and the decision to allow him to leave Old Trafford looks increasingly like the wrong one. Now, in an interview with Movistar via Sky Sports, Chicharito has explained why he opted to leave for the Bundesliga:

"I spoke with Van Gaal and he said that I only had a one per cent chance of playing in my position, so I headed to Bayer.

"I felt confident from the very first day. I feel important, not just because of my goals, but because I feel that I'll start every game".

He was also effusive in his praise for Sir Alex Ferguson:

"I was extremely lucky to be the first [Mexican] player to move to one of the biggest clubs in the world. I had a great time there. I had an incredible start, full of opportunities, although those opportunities dwindled over time and things took a turn for the worse.

"I'm so grateful to Ferguson. I think he's the best there's ever been, especially his squad management skills. Every player had his place. A squad player could still play 15 games a season. He opened the door to Europe for me and I won two league titles there."

Though United's recent problems have been structural rather than a problem with personnel, the current shortage of strikers means Hernández would surely be getting game time at Old Trafford at the moment. There's little grounds to think that keeping him would have improved our current league position, but as long as he keeps scoring, van Gaal will look like he's made a big mistake in allowing him to leave.