Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has dismissed the idea that Al Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was “difficult or complicated” to play alongside.
Hernandez, who currently plays in the MLS and is captain of LA Galaxy, arrived at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson and enjoyed brief success at United.
The 35-year-old Mexican striker lifted two Premier League titles at United, as well as scoring an impressive 59 times in 157 appearances for the Premier League club.
‘Chicharito’ fell out of favour under Louis van Gaal and was loaned out to Real Madrid in 2014, with Hernandez linking up with Ronaldo at the La Liga club.
Hernandez registered nine assists and scored nine times for Madrid in 33 appearances, but Los Blancos opted not to buy him at the end of the campaign.
However, the LA Galaxy striker was fortunate enough to see Ronaldo in his prime goalscoring form after the Madrid legend scored a whopping 61 times in all competitions in the 2014-15 season.
Hernandez on ‘phenomenal’ Ronaldo
Speaking to Paramount+ (as per BeanymanSports), Hernandez opened up on his time in the Spanish capital and his relationship with the “phenomenal” Ronaldo.
The former Mexico international insisted that he had not “met or seen a player” who spoke badly of Ronaldo and hailed his influence on and off the pitch.
“I always divided it as the first six months being very complicated because I played practically nothing,” Hernandez said.
“Some unfortunate injuries arose and I was given an opportunity in the second part, which was extraordinary and unique.
“Cristiano was phenomenal in the locker room and also in his way of being.
“I don’t think I have met or seen a player who has come out to say that Cristiano is a difficult or complicated person.
“Cris is Cris. We know his personality and competitiveness, but as a teammate that is one of the things you cannot take away.”
Hernandez on Ferguson’s influence
Hernandez’s return from Madrid to United would mark the end of his Old Trafford career, with Chicharito sold to Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 for a reported £7.3m.
The LA Galaxy player would return to the Premier League in 2017 as part of a reported £16m deal to West Ham, but Hernandez’s spell was hit with injuries.
Hernandez would leave West Ham in 2019 and went on to play briefly for La Liga side Sevilla before signing for LA Galaxy in 2020.
Chicharito has fond memories of his time at United and holds high admiration for Ferguson, who he praised for his “spectacular” management at the club.
“I always said that what I learned most from him was how he treated his players and to achieve that he had to know his players,” he said.
“In order to manage a team as large as the ones I was in, you have to understand that not all of them are the same and not all of them work in the same way. But the management he had when I was there was spectacular.
“And that’s why we won all the leagues we won. We were close to a Champions League and also won other tournaments.
“He knew his players authentically, not only as footballers, he knew us deeply, and our families, too.
“That a person like Sir Alex Ferguson, with so much time in football, such a winner, and being the best in history, is so human and has time to get to know everyone, is what I learned the most from him.”
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