Paul Scholes considers him "an out-an-out goalscorer" while Ryan Giggs says "he has the extra quality that makes a difference", adding that "towards the end of last season we needed that player who could come off the bench and change a game."
Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, added: "He has had a good start. He is an intelligent player with tremendous pace and penetration. The Mexican league is tough, so bringing players to England from there is not going to be a problem." Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, 22, has yet to play a league game for United, but the excitement is tangible among teammates and fans. Unrealistic expectations often greet any striker who signs for United and plenty have failed to live up to the hype, from Diego Forlan to Dimitar Berbatov.
It is early for Hernandez and Ferguson was careful not to heap too much expectation on the striker who has been compared to a young Michael Owen for his speed and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for his propensity to find the goal, but the grass looks even greener for Hernandez. Chicarito - (the "Little Pea" as his father, a former Mexican international was "The Pea" because of his green eyes) cost just £6 million (Dh35.1m).
Unknown outside his homeland a year ago, he burst on to the scene for Chivas Guadalajara in Mexico's top league, scoring 29 goals in 79 games before gaining international recognition. The fee already looks like a bargain after his performances in the World Cup where he scored twice. Hernandez was the perfect signing for United in many ways. The Old Trafford club dislike it when teams they are dealing with leak details to the media. United were so impressed with Chivas at keeping the deal under wraps that they sent a first-team squad last month to play in a friendly to open their new stadium.
Hernandez played the first half for his former club against United and scored with a left-footed first-time strike. It was one of four goals in four pre-season games, all notable for their variety. There was a chip against the Major League Soccer All Stars in Houston, a clinical right foot strike in Dublin last week and then a goal in Sunday's Community Shield success against Chelsea, where he kicked the ball against his nose and into the net.
Knowing that he is fast becoming the most talked about signing of the summer, Ferguson prevented him from doing interviews after the game in a bid to calm expectations. In previous encounters with the media, Hernandez has shown in English and Spanish that he is bright and level-headed. His signing has delighted United's commercial arm. United look for value in the market, which they usually find in emerging talent. And just as Ji-sung Park helped United's brand in Korea, so the Mexican has boosted United's appeal in the Spanish speaking market and the Old Trafford club have launched a Spanish version of their website.
But principally, he was bought for footballing reasons. "Javier is a goal poacher," Giggs told reporters after the Chelsea game. "His overall movement and ability to find space is really good. Hopefully he can get us a lot of goals this year. He has started pre-season well and I am sure he will be a great player for us." @Email:sports@thenational.ae