Javier Hernandez goals leave Sir Alex Ferguson with striker decision
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits Javier Hernandez
has handed him a selection dilemma after his match-winning display in
the Champions League against SC Braga.
Hernandez has been in the shadow of Wayne Rooney, Robin
van Persie and Danny Welbeck this season, but scored twice as United
came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and move closer to qualification for
the knockout stage.
Analysis
"Hernandez has the ability to make more than one
movement in the same passage of play, hence his ability to find space in
the most congested of penalty boxes."
Ferguson now prepares for a
crucial Premier League game against leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
on Sunday - and the 24-year-old Mexican striker has stated a powerful
case for inclusion.
"The boy is improving all the time," Ferguson said. "He is fantastic in training and he's always practising.
"His goal ratio for us is fantastic. For his second goal he bends around the back of the defender. It is a great ball in from Tom Cleverley but his movement is terrific.
"He's given me a problem - but that's a good thing."
However, the United manager was not so pleased with his side's defending as they conceded two early goals to the Portuguese side - falling behind for the eighth time in 12 games this season.
A waiting game
Javier Hernandez now has three goals from four starts for Manchester United this season after his double strike against Braga on Tuesday. The Mexican has made five further appearances from the bench.
"I can't understand our
defending," he said. "I can't get to the bottom of it. We certainly make
it difficult for ourselves. If you analyse the goals we are conceding
they are all different types.
"It is difficult to put my finger on it and it
certainly doesn't give us a good start to games that's for sure. It is
always at home as well. It is not a problem away from Old Trafford, at
least not in terms of early goals. We will sort it though, I'm sure of
that."
Ferguson has a fitness concern ahead of the Chelsea game after Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa was forced off at half-time with a twisted knee. He will be checked on Wednesday.