Manchester United cult hero Javier Hernandez has insisted that manager Erik ten Hag silenced his harshest critics with one pivotal moment in his Old Trafford career.
Former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag kicked off Manchester United’s pre-season tour this month ahead of his third season in charge at the Red Devils.
United suffered a 1-0 defeat in their opening pre-season campaign against Rosenborg before bouncing back with a 2-0 win against Rangers on Saturday.
Erik ten Hag has been without several key first-team players during the pre-season tour after the end of the 2024 Copa America and Euro 2024 in Germany.
The 54-year-old Dutchman has endured both the high and low points during his spell at Old Trafford, including lifting the Carabao Cup trophy and the FA Cup trophy.
However, United disappointed in their Premier League campaign in the 2023-24 season, with the Red Devils finishing in eighth place in the league table.
Hernandez praises Ten Hag achievement
Despite a turbulent Premier League season, Erik ten Hag signed off the 2023-24 campaign with a 2-1 FA Cup final win over Manchester City at Wembley in May.
Ten Hag fell short of the FA Cup trophy in his debut season at Old Trafford after suffering a defeat to Manchester City at Wembley in 2023.
However, the United boss avenged the 2023 FA Cup final defeat after the Red Devils produced a stunning performance against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Speaking to Manchester United’s official website, Javier Hernandez has claimed that Ten Hag “shut a lot of mouths” with the Red Devils’ FA Cup triumph.
“There’s still a long way to go and of course… when I was there, I was a Manchester United player and now that I’m a Manchester United fan, we all demand and expect the best out of the players, manager and everyone,” he said.
“But that’s the standards of one of the greatest organisations in the world. So that’s normal.
“But I think winning the FA Cup last season shut a lot of mouths… Of course, it is not what it was 10 years ago. That’s obvious. But things are not as bad as you think they are, you know.”
Hernandez on Man Utd FA Cup win
Former United striker Hernandez, also known as Chicharito, fell short of lifting the FA Cup trophy during his spell at Old Trafford.
The 36-year-old Mexican insisted that United’s FA Cup win would build “more confidence” for the players and help to set the “standard” over what to expect.
“Winning an FA Cup… you know, I didn’t have the chance to win it. I lost a semi-final against Manchester City in Wembley, you know,” Hernandez said.
“I think that could help a lot of players to gain more confidence. But as well [it helps] to set as a standard that that’s the least that we can expect for next season.
“And then I think you can make top players convinced that they can come and you can win things and you can make your squad more strong.”
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