Michael Owen hails impact of ‘surprise package’ Chicharito at Manchester United

Michael Owen, Manchester United (Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Michael Owen has hailed team-mate Javier Hernandez for the impact he has had in his first season at Manchester United.

The Mexico international, who joined the Red Devils last summer, has scored 12 goals in 13 starts in the Premier League, and has netted 19 times in total.

Now Owen has admitted that the emergence of the young forward has curtailed his involvement with the first-team.

“He is 10 years younger of course, so maybe he is a better version of the current Michael Owen,” he said, according to Sky Sports.

“Javier has been the surprise package this year without a doubt.

“He is certainly sharp and is a cracking lad as well. That probably isn’t that important to the people who just want to see him scoring goals but it is important for those who are around him and at the club in general.”

Despite Hernandez’s form, the former Liverpool striker believes that United’s forwards have all played their part during the course of the season.

“Javier’s partnership with Wayne Rooney has really clicked,” Owen added. “But let’s not forget that Dimitar is still our top scorer. He has only not been scoring lately because he has not been playing as much.

“Overall, the strikers have dovetailed quite well. Everyone has chipped in at certain parts of the season.

“Wayne almost carried us right the way through last season.

“This year other people have come in to fill the void. It has been a great effort all round.”