Javier Hernandez identifies key to Sir Alex Ferguson's prolonged success at Manchester United

The Mexican striker spent three seasons under Ferguson at Man United, winning two Premier League titles between 2010 and 2013.

Kyle Newbould Freelance Football Writer

15:15, 29 Sep 2023

Javier Hernandez spent three seasons under Sir Alex Ferguson.(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Javier Hernandez believes that Sir Alex Ferguson's attentive man-management was key to his unparalleled success at Manchester United.

Ferguson oversaw United's longest and greatest period of success for 27 years between 1986 and 2013, with 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies among several major honours won. During such a long spell at Old Trafford, the Scot saw countless players come and go but always managed to keep his squad motivated.

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Three of Hernandez's five years at United were spent under Ferguson after joining from Club Deportivo Guadalajara in Mexico. The then-22-year-old, nicknamed 'Chicharito', won two Premier League titles under Ferguson before the Reds icon retired in 2013.

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Ferguson has become infamous for his explosive outbursts towards players inside the dressing room, but Hernandez pinpoints a softer side to the former United boss that was key to almost three decades at the top.

"I always said that what I learned most from him was how he treated his players and to achieve that he had to know his players," Hernandez told Paramount+. "In order to manage a team as large as the ones I was in, you have to understand that not all of them are the same and not all of them work in the same way.

"But the management he had when I was there was spectacular. And that’s why we won all the leagues we won.

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"We were close to a Champions League and also won other tournaments. He knew his players authentically, not only as footballers, he knew us deeply, and our families too.

"That a person like Sir Alex Ferguson, with so much time in football, such a winner, and being the best in history, is so human and has time to get to know everyone, is what I learned the most from him."