MANCHESTER // Ryan Giggs believes Javier Hernandez deserves all the praise he is receiving for a magnificent debut season at Manchester United.
Few outside his native Mexico had heard of Hernandez before Sir Alex Ferguson completed his cloak-and-dagger operation to sign the striker in April last year.
A decent showing at the World Cup gave an indication Ferguson might have landed a £7 million (Dh42m) bargain, but even the United manager did not expect 22-year-old Hernandez to make the impact he has during an incredible campaign.
Starting with an unorthodox goal on his debut in the Community Shield win, to Sunday's 36-second stunner, both against Chelsea, Hernandez has continued to impress and has now become the first United player to score 20 in his debut campaign since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2001.
If voting for the player-of-the-year awards were taking place now, Hernandez would probably go very close to winning them. Giggs, the veteran midfielder, feels all the credit is fully merited.
"Twenty goals in his first season is unbelievable," Giggs said. "You're always in with a chance when you have a goalscorer like Javier in your team. He has made a fantastic impact, on and off the pitch.
"His English is perfect, which helps, and his goal just sums up his season. Sometimes those chances can come a bit early for you. You are not quite up to speed. Thirty seconds, he gets a chance, he scores. He deserves everything that has been said about him."
Hernandez helped put United just one point away from the Premier League title, which they can win on Saturday at Blackburn Rovers.
* Press Association
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The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5