Hernandez helps down United

New-boy Smalling on target in defeat in North America

Last updated: 31st July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hernandez helps down United

Hernandez: Celebrates his goal

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Javier Hernandez scored against his new team as Manchester United were beaten 3-2 by Chivas Guadalajara in the last match of their North American tour.

Hernandez played the first half for his old club and the second for his new side, and made an immediate impact as he netted after just eight minutes, to the delight of the crowd at the new Estadio Omnilife.

Chris Smalling, another United new-boy, levelled two minutes later, but Adolfo Bautista re-established the lead for the hosts after 38 minutes and Hector Reynoso made it 3-1 just prior to the hour mark, before Nani pulled one back in the 79th minute.

There have been suggestions that Sir Alex Ferguson could send Hernandez out on loan, but the United boss is confident the Mexico international has an immediate part to play and that he can operate in the loan role favoured by the Red Devils.

"I've dealt with European games and it is really important to guard against the counter-attack and to keep possession of the ball," said the Scot.

Hero's reception

"I think that Chicharito (Hernandez) can play as one striker in my team, no question about that. He did it for Mexico in the World Cup.

Hernandez, who has been given a hero's reception on his return to Mexico, was the centre of attention from the start and was given a standing ovation when his name was read out.

And he rewarded the fans who had come to cheer him by becoming the first player to score at Chivas' new stadium, striking left-footed first time from Bautista's chest-down to send it into the bottom right corner.

But just two minutes later, Smalling rose at a corner to head the ball home and draw United level with his first goal for the club.

United's players had surely been told to go easy on their new team-mate, but they were not entirely reverent, as John O'Shea showed when he fouled Hernandez in midfield.

History

Fabio had an effort well saved by Luis Michel after 23 minutes, but on the whole it was the Mexicans who were playing the better football.

And they went ahead when Alberto Medina's centre was played by Reynoso to Bautista, who finished right-footed.

Paul Scholes ensured his own little bit of history five minutes before the break as, fittingly, he picked up the first booking in the life of the new stadium.

Hernandez swapped teams at half-time, replacing Dimitar Berbatov in the United line-up.

But he could do nothing to improve their fortunes as Reynoso headed home from Michel Vazquez's corner.

Nani did pull one back late on after good work from Tom Cleverley, but there was still time for Juan Antonio Ocampo to hit the post.

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