• Premier League

Hernandez refuses to set goal target

Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez says he has set himself no goal target for the season and winning the Premier League remains his sole priority.

The Mexico international has found the net 12 times this season, well behind leading striker Wayne Rooney who has 28 in all competitions. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson recently challenged Rooney to break the 40-goal barrier, but Hernandez, who scored two in United's 5-0 demolition of Wolves earlier this month, insists as long as the team score goals he is happy.

United moved three points clear of rivals Manchester City with a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham on Monday, and with just eight games remaining Hernandez has only one thing on his mind.

"My only target is to win the Premier League," Hernandez told ESPN. "It doesn't matter if I score a lot of goals if I don't win anything with the club. The most important thing is the team and [for the team] to win all the trophies and cups.

"People ask me all the time if I have a target of goals, and I always respond that the goal is a consequence of the effort of all the team.

"Of course the striker is closest to the goal so we work more on [scoring] but no players play by themselves and take out 11 players and score. The first attacking player is the goalkeeper so you need to work hard in every aspect."

Although Rooney's 21 league goals have been key to United's title charge, Hernandez claims the striker is a more complete player than just a goal scorer.

"Rooney is one of the best [players] in the world and has hundreds of goals for this club," Hernandez said. "He is not selfish; you can see he sometimes plays in midfield, sometimes as striker. He runs all the game and makes a lot of assists as well.

"I don't need to describe Wayne Rooney - every person in the world knows about the talent and the world class player he is. And as well we have a lot of players that are world class not only Rooney."

Hernandez revealed that he had been working hard in the gym as he attempts to cope with the demands of the Premier League.

"I am trying to work on my body strength," Hernandez said. "I am not the tallest or the strongest but I need to be ready to compete in this tough league which is very physical, very quick, technical as well.

"With the help of all the coaches, the gaffer and my team-mates we improve day by day because you need to concentrate 100% and try your best every day, not only in the games."

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