Javier Hernandez has heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo for being a great influence during his season at Real Madrid, although the Mexican striker was not as complimentary about his overall experience.
Hernandez, 27, spent last season on-loan at Madrid after being informed by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal he would not be part of his first-team plans.
However, Hernandez ultimately swapped one bench for another, with Madrid’s then-manager Carlo Ancelotti preferring to stick with this Plan A attacking options of Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema.
The Mexico forward managed nine goals from 33 games, although most of those appearances were from the bench.
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The biggest moment of Hernandez’s loan spell was undoubtedly scoring the decisive goal against rivals Atletico Madrid in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final, but his heroics failed to guarantee more game time.
Hernandez has now returned to Manchester United, although he is expected to leave the club this summer, with Tottenham, Inter Milan, and AC Milan among the clubs interested.
"The goal against Atletico was a relief because it was a difficult year with very few opportunities," he said in an interview with AS. "It was a release. I had to warm the bench a lot. My time in Madrid was massively frustrating because I did not feel important."
Hernandez may have some issues with Madrid, but the forward was full of praise for Ronaldo.
"Cristiano is a great player. There are no words to describe him. He is a clear example that hard work pays off," Hernandez said in a separate interview with Univision.
“The season at Real Madrid was one full of learning. It helped me find myself again as a player.”
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