Chicarito back with a bang | Darragh Collins

Last April, I recall in a Premiership encounter with Blackburn, a lackadaisical Rovers clearance was directed back towards goal by United. The high, looping ball fell to Javier Hernandez. Chicharito, as he’s almost adoringly referred to, had the time and space to control the ball and register a credible shot on target. Instead, the Mexican elected to lethargically attempt a difficult back-header at Paul Robinson in the Blackburn goal.I pondered that had a similar chance fallen to Chicharito this time last year he could have spun around, tripped himself up and crawled along the ground before making contact with the ball, and it still would have found the net. Alas, it appeared the notorious second-season syndrome has engulfed Chicharito’s play.Hernandez arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2010 and, as he was relatively unknown by the majority of fans, expectations were low. However after a handful of appearances, it was clear to see that at a price of £7 million, Manchester United had acquired a credible bargain.Hernandez managed to kick Dimitar Berbatov out of the starting 11 and formed a devastating partnership with Wayne Rooney. He finished the season with 20 goals in 27 appearances, quite a staggering figure, of which any striker would be proud of.United managed to win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final where they were defeated at hands ofBarcelonain a disappointing performance.Hernandez however, could hold his head up high and look back at what was a fantastic season which had earned him a place in the hearts of the United faithful, drawing comparisons to former legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.In 2011/2012, Chicharito entered a completely different atmosphere; he was a marked man. Teams knew how good a finisher he was, how aware he was off the ball and how his movement and blistering pace could prove to be a thorn in the side of any team in the world; expectations for Hernandez were high this time around. He would have to prove himself and step into the limelight as one of the key men in the United side.This season as the goals have, comparatively speaking, dried up, his apathetic link-up play had become more and more conspicuous. The dogged determination remained, but that extra piece of magic which he once possessed seemed to have vanished.It looked as if the dreaded second-season syndrome had hit him with quite a devastating dose.The emergence of Danny Welbeck and one or two niggling injuries seemed to have completely removed him from proceedings, as Hernandez spent most of the season watching on from the bench. Although he managed to score 12 goals, he never went on the run which the potential he displayed the previous season so convincingly promised.He seemed a shadow of the player he was the previous campaign when he netted a delightful header that launched United to a vital win against the notoriously frugal Stoke side at the similarly notorious Britannia Stadium; or a goal in similar circumstances against Everton, a team in which United seem to consistently have difficulties in defeating.This season, it seemed Hernandez’s days were numbered. Up to last night Hernandez only managed 4 appearances for United, and seemed to be rotting away on the bench once more. A series of poor performances when we did manage to play seemed to have the majority writing him off yet again and it was the opinion of many that perhaps it was time for him to move on, as 2 months into the season he had failed to score a single goal.In the previous champions league tie in which United faced CFR Cluj, Hernandez produced a very poor display, and was subsequently substituted. You could see it in the eyes of the man as he made the long walk off the pitch that he was not satisfied, and was fed up with his fortunes over the past 12 months.Last night however, as Manchester United went up against FC Braga, Hernandez was named on the starting 11. From the off he was electric, closing down men, chasing lost causes and linking up well with his team mates.Things did not start well for United, as poor defensive errors saw them go 2-0 down, and, now for the 8th time in 12 games this season, United had to start from scratch and save the victory.United needed someone to step up, to be that individual who was going to dig deep and find that something, that extra 10% that was going to get them back into this game with a big performance.That man was the man they call Chicharito.Five minutes passed afterBragahad doubled their lead, the ball went up the wing and fell to Robin Van Persie, who produced a breathtaking piece of trickery. He was fouled however the ball was taken on, on the advantage, by Shinji Kagawa, who swung in a perfect cross which found the emerging Hernandez who aggressively attacked the ball with his head and put United back in the game.Jonny Evans managed to equalise after he converted a messy goal which came from a corner kick right on the hour mark.With 75 minutes gone it was that man again, Hernandez. With a sensational leap, Hernandez met Tom Cleverley's beautifully weighted cross, as he headed past Beto to score the winner for United in what was a very hard fought game."His goal ratio for us is fantastic," saidFerguson, "for his second goal, he bends around the back of the defender. It is a great ball in from Tom Cleverley but his movement is terrific."It looked like the Hernandez of 2 years ago had returned; the spring in his step was back, his enthusiasm, his hunger to get on the ball, his link up play and the 2 fantastic headers on the scoreboard.The 24-year-old Hernandez later played down his bit-part status at Old Trafford, telling reporters, "I'm enjoying it here even if I'm not playing much. It's not about who is the hero — it is about getting the three points."Hernandez showed that he is still a top quality payer, and will be sure to give Sir Alex a headache for their upcoming fixtures; could this match be a distinct turning point in the career of Javier Hernandez? Only time will tell.