• Premier League

Hernandez hints at United exit

Javier Hernandez has struggled to get into the first-team over the past couple of seasons © PA Photos

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Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has hinted he may consider his future elsewhere unless he gets a chance to start more games at Old Trafford.

Hernandez has started just one Premier League game this season, the home defeat against West Bromwich Albion last month, and he struggled to make the most of his opportunity at The Hawthorns.

Now it seems his lack of game time is forcing him to ponder his career options, as he expressed his frustration with his progress this season in an interview with Mexican TV station Deportes Telemundo.

"I strive for that [to start more games]," said the 25-year-old. "I am working towards earning a spot as a starter. I know that my performance on the pitch will allow me to achieve that goal someday either here [in Manchester] or elsewhere for any other club.

"I just need to be given more opportunities to showcase what I can do, because all of us want to be able to contribute our part so this team can win championships."

Hernandez went on to insist he hopes to stay at United for the final four years of his contract, while also speaking about the passions that drive him to succeed in the game after coming close to turning his back on the sport when he lost faith in his own abilities during his stint with Mexican side Chivas.

"There was a time when I went through a very difficult time at Chivas, when I had really lost all faith in myself and started to seriously wonder whether this was the path God had set out for me, to play football," he explained. "I had dreamed of being a professional football player ever since I was little, but I had some doubts for a time.

"Football has always been in my blood and I have always loved the sport, so all that sort of carried me towards becoming a football player. That time of my life was very complicated for me but, thank God, things turned out well.

"I was very patient and lucky to have my family and loved ones as my pillars of support to be strong, to believe in myself again, and that is when I decided to thank God for every match I start in [with a pre-match prayer]."

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