Manchester United outcast Javier Hernandez was happy to stay with Real Madrid in the January transfer window and is determined to fight for his place in the starting XI at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti was speaking to the press ahead of his side's La Liga clash with Sevilla on Wednesday evening earn he was quizzed on the future of the striker on loan from Old Trafford, who has failed to nail down a starting place in the team.
"He told me that he was happy to stay here and work with us" - Ancelotti
The former Chelsea boss reveals that he had spoken with Hernandez during the January transfer window about his future and was assured by the 26-year-old that he was "happy" to stay with 'los Blancos' for the remainder of his season-long deal and was determined to win a place in the side.
"Chicharito has stayed here because we signed him because we needed him. I don't know how many minutes we will need from him. He told me that he was happy to stay here and work with us. He is a great professional and for that I have been grateful," Ancelotti is quoted as saying by the Daily Express.
'Chicharito' was granted the switch last summer when it became clear that new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal did not have him in his plans for the season ahead. Hernandez had not been getting many starts with the Red Devils since the arrival of Robin van Persie from Arsenal.
There was little hope of becoming a starting XI regular once again, which he once was under Sir Alex Ferguson, with the Dutch striker prolific in front of goal and firing the club to their last Premier League title.
Radamel Falcao arrived on deadline day last summer and it was obvious to see that Van Gaal had no intention of utilising the Mexico international. Hernandez was a revelation when he arrived in 2010, signed before the World Cup started, winning the title in his first season in England and building up a fine partnership with Wayne Rooney.
Different City, Same Problems
His situation at Madrid hasn't changed much from what it was in Manchester, so he will be disappointed. Only one of his nine La Liga appearances have been in the starting XI and he has scored just three times, though that isn't a bad ratio.
It looks as though Hernandez will have to get used to being on the bench for much for the remainder of the season too, as Ancelotti admitted that his front three will always be the trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, so long as they are fit.
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