Javier Hernández is looking for consistent playing time next season, whether it is at Manchester United or another club.The Mexico international spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Real Madrid but made just 11 starts in all competitions.
Real turned down the option to make his stay permanent this month and the 27-year-old forward will be heading back to Old Trafford, where he has one year left on his contract.
Hernández told the Spanish sports newspaper Marca: “Real had a deadline to exercise the right to acquire my rights but they let it go. Right now Real are like any other club and as of now I am a Manchester United player.”
“That’s the only reality. Above all, I want to join a team where I can play and have minutes. If it’s at Manchester United or another team, I will be equally happy. My priority is to play.”
Last summer Hernández chose to go out on loan as United’s manager, Louis van Gaal, brought in Radamel Falcao on another temporary deal but the player indicated he would be happy to stay at United if there are opportunities available.
“Last summer it was a different situation,” Hernández said. “When Van Gaal arrived he wanted to restructure the team and reduce the number of players. They weren’t playing in Europe and he preferred to focus on the Premier League. Perhaps he didn’t want many players because we wouldn’t have played. Now the situation is different.
“There will be a Champions League preliminary round to play, which means many more games and I think there might be more opportunities. I think I have more options to play at United next season.”
Despite a lack of playing time, Hernández did impress at Real when called upon. He scored seven goals and set up four more in 23 league appearances for Real, who finished two points behind Barcelona in La Liga.
“I have no regrets,” he said. “I’ve given everything I had at Real. I’m very proud to have represented this club. I went through hard times but also experienced beautiful moments.
“I would be delighted if [new Real Madrid coach Rafa] Benítez called me to say he wanted my services,” he said. “But what any player wants is to play. If that doesn’t happen at United, I will look for a team where I will be given more playing time.”
