Mexico striker Javier Hernandez is a relieved young man today after an FA panel granted Manchester United an application for a work visa, thus giving the green light to start a career at Old Trafford and ending fears that the £7million transfer deal having be scrapped. The 21 year old Hernandez sealed a move to England last month but did not meet the criteria for a permit as he has not played in 75 per cent of Mexico’s games over the past two years.
The former Chivas de Guadalajara player who is better known as Chicharito or “Little Pea”, has been granted special dispensation by the Home Office to play in the Premier League after United proved he was “an exceptional talent” that could not be recruited from inside the European Union for a similar transfer fee. He has already passed a medical and agreed personal terms with United allowing his signing to officially go through on July 1.
The young forward who has been named in Mexico’s provisional 26 man squad for South Africa scored his fifth international goal in his country’s 2-1 defeat by Holland last night after featuring as a second half substitute against England at Wembley on Monday. He will now be able to take his place in the United squad for the pre season tour of North America which includes a clash with his former club in their new 45,000 seater stadium in Guadalajara.
United’s new signing admits that he is ”living a dream” to be going to Old Trafford. “I’m suddenly going to be playing with the players I know from PlayStation and television” he told the Daily Mirror “I’m living a dream and I thank God I’m living it. I got goose bumps when I realised that I would be joining Manchester United, these are the things that you dream about” he said before further revealing that he “longed for a move to Europe when I was a kid watching football on television, I’m just full of gratitude to those who helped me accomplish this”
Hernandez was also full of praise for Sir Alex Ferguson saying “I know why he’s been able to be so successful because he’s just a really straightforward person. He’s an extraordinary man. He makes such an impact on you and it’s not just because of his accomplishments but because of the kind of person he is”
In other World Cup news involving United players, Patrice Evra was appointed France captain in their come from behind 2-1 victory over Costa Rica. The man rated as the world’s best left full back now joins team mates Rio Ferdinand and Ji-Sung Park in captaining their respective countries. The French will next face Tunisia and China before commencing their World Cup campaign on the opening day of the tournament against Uruguay.
England plays its final warm up against Japan in Graz on Sunday with all three United players free of injury. While there has never been any doubt about captain Rio Ferdinand and striker Wayne Rooney being on the plane to South Africa, a big question mark still hangs on whether Michael Carrick can survive the cut. His last performance at Wembley on Monday was ordinary to say the least and providing he’s selected by Fabio Capello for Sundays last throw of the dice, Carrick will need to have a strong game if he’s to have any chance of cementing a place in the squad.
Will Hernandez be ready to claim a spot alongside Rooney next season?
