‘He is definitely a bargain’ – Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand hails impact of Javier Hernandez

UEFA Champions League : Javier Hernandez, Manchester United v Marseille

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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has hailed the impact Javier Hernandez has had since arriving at the club last summer.

The Mexican forward has impressed during his debut season, earning rave reviews for his unerring eye for goal and Ferdinand feels that the 22-year-old is showing maturity well beyond his age in his performances.

“Javier is doing things at 22 that strikers are only just learning about when they are seasoned professionals of 27 or 28,” Ferdinand said.

“He has just come to the club and is doing textbook stuff like running across the front post all the time to score goals.

“It is great to see. That is why he is nicking so many goals. He is also following up and is on the back post as well.”

With 18 goals in all competitions thus far this season, Hernandez has proved to be excellent value for the £7 million United paid to secure his signature, and Ferdinand agrees that the Mexican has proved to be a steal for the Old Trafford side.

“He is definitely a bargain,” he said.

“But it doesn’t matter how much he cost, it is all about doing the job when you come in. He is doing a job fantastically well.”

Ferdinand also reserved praise for United midfielder Park Ji-Sung, whose goal against Chelsea on Tuesday night secured the club’s passage to the Champions League semi-finals.

“He must have a different diet to all of us because the way he runs and the energy he has got is phenomenal,” he said.

The 30-year-old’s energetic, all-action displays are often overlooked in favour of higher-profile stars at Old Trafford, but Ferdinand insists that his team-mates appreciate his efforts.

“The lads in the changing room sometimes laugh at the amount of work that Ji gets through because it is just ridiculous,” he added.

“We just want to know what he eats pre-match and at home.

“It is great to have him as a part of your team. He is definitely an unsung hero.”