Van Gaal: Chicha Can Prove Himself

Louis van Gaal admits Javier Hernandez will have the opportunity to prove himself and regain his place in the Manchester United squad when the Mexican joins the tour on 25 July.

Chicharito, who has scored 59 goals in 154 Reds appearances, was sent on loan to Real Madrid at the beginning of last season after van Gaal decided the player would sit behind Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao in his pecking order of strikers at the club.

Hernandez has now completed his temporary stint at the Bernabeu and will soon link up with United, when the tour moves on to San Jose. Speaking after the 1-0 win over Club America in Seattle, van Gaal was asked about Chicha’s chances of impressing and catching his eye.

“Chicharito is coming on 25 July,” the boss explained during his press conference. “Okay he can prove himself again and now Falcao and van Persie are gone, so his chances are better now.”

At present, Rooney and James Wilson are the only recognised strikers in the United squad after van Persie left for Fenerbahce and loan signing Falcao moved on to Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea. Asked if he is worried about a possible lack of depth up front, the manager was quick to praise his options.

"No, as still we have Rooney - he can play in the strikers’ position. All the media last year wrote he has to play there and I listen to the media! And we have Chicharito, and maybe Wilson, and maybe there comes a surprise. You never know, it is a process. I am not worried about that position.”

The boss was also quizzed on Falcao’s move to Stamford Bridge, which promoted a positive response: “I wish him all the best because he was a fantastic professional player but he came from an injury period.

"We have made him very fit. I like him very much as a person and also as a football player. Now he tries his luck at Chelsea and I wish him all the best.”