Manchester United Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 11/12

The 23-year-old, a £6 million signing from Chivas de Guadalajara in April 2010, becomes the 13th member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-team squad to commit to a new contract over the past 12 months after being rewarded for his hugely impressive debut campaign in English football last season.

Hernández, nicknamed Chicharito, scored 20 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions last term and the Mexican’s form resulted in him ousting club record signing Dimitar Berbatov from the first team in the second half of the campaign.

His goalscoring form prompted speculation linking Real with a move for the player, but despite being just one year into a four-year contract at Old Trafford, Hernández has now been elevated alongside the club’s second tier of earners, behind the £160,000-a-week Rooney, by agreeing a deal worth in the region of £90,000-a-week that will tie him to United until 2016.

Eduardo Hernandez, Chicharito’s representative, said: “We have renegotiated Javier’s contract and he is now committed for five years with Manchester United.

“There is nothing in the speculation [with Real] and it was never likely that Javier would leave United.

“His initial contract was a little tentative for Manchester and for Javier because it enabled them both to see if they could fit together and if he could achieve what was expected of him.

“Both sides have met their expectations, however, and United were happy to reward Javier after his very good performances last season.”

With Hernández’s impact off the pitch proving as impressive as his performances on it, with the player’s popularity during the summer tour of the United States emphasising his commercial value to United, the club have moved quickly to secure his services for the long term.

His involvement with Mexico in the Gold Cup during the summer delayed the start of negotiations, but talks between United and the Hernández camp accelerated last month, with an agreement over a new deal understood to have been reached last week.

Eduardo Hernandez, speaking to ESPN Deportes, added: “Talks began some time ago and United came up with a very good offer. I have nothing but praise for the way they have recognised Javier’s performances.

“I will not talk about numbers [wages], but it is a five-year contract and it is a fixed salary with incentives based on the team’s success in each of the different tournaments.

“We are very happy to reach an agreement with United. Javier was not badly paid with his initial contract, but it was his first contract and, with respect, not comparable with the likes of Rooney and Nani.

“But today I can say that the contract has been signed and everyone is satisfied.” By completing negotiations with Hernández, the only senior player now facing an uncertain future at United is Berbatov, whose current contract expires at the end of the season.

The Bulgarian forward, a £30.75 million buy from Tottenham in September 2008, has started just one Premier League game for United this season after being omitted from the squad for the Champions League final defeat against Barcelona last May.

United hold a one-way option which allows the club to trigger a one-year extension on the 30-year-old’s contract, a move which they are expected to take in order to prevent Berbatov from leaving on a free transfer next summer.

Berbatov has insisted that he does not want to leave United, but he will be free to talk to other clubs in January if a new contract at Old Trafford fails to materialise before the new year.

There is nothing in the speculation [with Real] and it was never likely that Javier would leave United.
Talks began some time ago and United came up with a very good offer. I have nothing but praise for the way they have recognised Javier’s performances.

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I see Benitez is spouting his 'fhacts' again.

United are successful not because of Ferguson, but because of the amount of money we can spend, despite Liverpool out spending us under him and all the others (apart from Hodgson) in Fergie's time.

No time for that lying self-publicist.