Chicha Keen To Learn From RVP

Javier Hernandez talks to ManUtd.com about learning from Robin van Persie and the team’s determination to make amends for last season’s Champions League disappointment…

We’ve already seen some interesting and surprising results in the first two weekends of the Barclays Premier League season – can we expect more to follow throughout the campaign?
I think that's the great thing about football - you just never know what will happen. Unfortunately, we experienced the bad part of it last season, but we hope we can learn from that. Every team is strong in this league. That’s why I believe the Premier League is the best in the world because it’s so competitive. You can’t go into any game thinking it will be easy. You never have easy games at a club like United. So you need to be at the top of your game, mentally, physically and technically in every match if you want to achieve your targets and our target is get that trophy back.

It never really feels like the season has properly started until we play our first home game does it…
Yes, for sure. Every member of the squad, the coaching staff and the fans feel a bit like that. We were all disappointed to lose the first game but the great thing about football is every weekend you have a chance to put the disappointing moments behind you and get the result you want.

We’ve seen four new arrivals at the club and a fifth to come this week with Angelo Henriquez due to sign – how much have you enjoyed working with all of them so far?
It’s been great. I know how they feel because two years ago I was in the same position. They have all settled in very well and they’re all working very hard. You always know that when the gaffer brings players to the club it’s for a reason. It’s because they have the level to be in
this team and to help us improve.

It must be very exciting for you to have someone like Robin van Persie to learn from?
Yes, of course. I think in life you never stop learning, no matter what age you are. I try to learn from all my team-mates, but obviously it’s great to watch the other strikers in particular. They have all helped me a lot and I know I will learn a lot off Robin because he is a world-class striker who has a lot to give to the team and a lot to teach us all.

Is he someone who you have admired from afar for a long time?
Yes, definitely. I think for people that just love football Robin is like Wazza and other top players, you just need to see them play. Even if you’re not a United fan, you should watch players like Robin and Wazza because they are world class. Robin is someone I have always enjoyed watching - he did a lot of great things for Arsenal and we want him to do the same for us.

Are you excited by the challenge that Robin’s arrival brings to the striking department?
Of course. The great thing about this club is you know you will get opportunities because we play so many games in different tournaments. There is competition for places but you always have that. I had that in youth teams when I was growing up and we have it here now because you need a big squad of players. There are only 11 places each week and you need to do your best to get one of those places, but it’s great to have that competition because it means every player will have to raise the level of their game.

And the manager has shown that if a player is in form and playing well, he’ll pick them…
Yes, definitely. The gaffer has the decisions to make, but for me I just focus on doing my best every day in training and in every game so I can help my team-mates get closer to achieving our targets of winning the league and all the competitions we play in.

The Champions League draw takes place on Thursday - does it feel like there is unfinished business in the competition after last season’s early exit?
Of course and even from the season before when we lost the final. As I always say we want to fight to win every tournament we play in and the Champions League is a big target of ours. It’s a great competition to play in. I always followed it as a kid and it’s one I really want to win, we all do.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt from last season’s disappointing campaign? Our home form ultimately let us down...
Yes, of course we want to improve our home form, but we see last season as being in the past now. We just want to look forward and learn from the mistakes we made and make sure they are not repeated this season.

Finally, you must have been very proud to see Mexico pick up the football gold medal at the Olympics?
Oh yes, it was a great moment and a very big achievement for our country. It was the only gold medal we won at the London Olympics and everyone in our country felt very proud. I don’t think anyone really believed we would get to the final and then beat Brazil but against all the odds we did it. The players and Mexican people have dreamt of that moment and to achieve it was fantastic. It’s shown us all that anything is possible.