Louis van Gaal sent a message on Tuesday: Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez's future is with Manchester United.
The 27-year-old came on in place of Adnan Januzaj in United's 3-1 victory over Club Brugge and went on to play 21 minutes pivotal to his future. The significance behind Van Gaal's decision to feature Hernandez in a Champions League qualifier is that it now leaves him cup-tied to Manchester, damaging his value in Europe.
Adding to the speculation is United's decision to put a full stop on summer transfer business, per ESPN FC.
Hernandez will likely fill his role as a super sub this campaign, something BT Sport analyst and United legend Michael Owen is a proponent of.
"If I was a manager and I could have one substitute in my team in world football, it would be him," Owen said, per HITC Sport. "He is dynamite as a substitute. He is so quick, his movement is unbelievable.
"He has just got a knack of scoring goals."
In his first three seasons with United, Hernandez combined for 33 league goals and six assists. It was under the new direction of David Moyes that the Mexican international saw a dip in his performance. He only managed six starts in 2013-14.
But with van Gaal's newfound confidence in him, his opportunity to make a repeat impact at Old Trafford is now.
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