Javier Hernandez returned to the Premier League on Monday, two years after leaving Manchester United for Bayer Leverkusen.The Mexican striker has signed a three-year contract with West Ham after joining the club for a fee of £16 million - a real coup for the Hammers.However, some United supporters were disappointed that Jose Mourinho didn’t make a move for the livewire striker, following the departures of both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney this summer.Chicharito is still a popular figure among the Old Trafford faithful following his five years with the Premier League giants.And back in April, Mourinho told reporters that the 29-year-old could have been prolific for the Red Devils had Louis van Gaal opted against selling him."I give a simple example — in the way we play at Old Trafford, in the way we dominate opponents, in the way we play in the box, I think Chicharito would have scored 20 goals easy,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by Goal. "Even coming from the bench for the last 10 or 20 minutes, he would have 20 goals."He is the guy that naturally the ball comes here, rebound here, rebounds there, boom, goal."The goalkeeper saves, he goes there, boom, goal. The cross is coming, he anticipates the first-post header, goal."If that is the case, then surely bringing Chicharito back to United would have made perfect sense.
Mourinho explains why he didn't re-sign Chicharito
Mourinho was asked about Hernandez in a press conference on Tuesday and the Portuguese coach explained why he decided against re-signing the former United fan favourite.
“No, because he left the club a few years ago. I’m not sure if it was his decision or the manager’s but he’s a good player, he’s a player that will always score goals,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News.
“ I would always welcome him in my squad because he doesn’t need many minutes on the pitch to score, but we move in another direction in a younger player in Lukaku and we have Rashford who can be a striker, so we didn’t feel that need.
“But no doubt from West Ham to get a player of his experience and quality is very good.”
Chicharito looking forward to August 13
Chicharito could make Mourinho regret his decision on the opening weekend of the new season.
United host West Ham at Old Trafford on August 13 and the Mexican is already counting down the days.
"I think I will be a little bit more excited than my teammates to be back at Old Trafford," he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "To start the season with my new team there is important and I will be happy to be there.”