Sociedad v Man United: Hernandez has earned right to start
Published:
Javier Hernandez has played his way into contention to lead the attack as Manchester United look to improve their faltering record in Spain.
The Red Devils head to Estadio Anoeta having won on just two of their last 11 trips to Spain in the Champions League but in Chicharito David Moyes has a striker brimming with confidence.
The Mexican has bagged four goals in eight appearances this season, including winners at Liverpool and Stoke, but when you factor his game time – a mere 358 minutes – he is scoring at an average of over a goal a game.
Working the “Little Pea” in to the starting XI is obviously a tricky task given Wayne Rooney’s displeasure at being pushed out wide and Robin van Persie’s current form.
The Dutchman has now notched 14 strikes in 15 matches for club and country this season and with rumours of a rift with Moyes already surfacing dropping the forward is not an option.
However, with United drawing five and losing four of their last 11 in Spain the manager could be tempted to select all three and go all out for an impressive win.
United may have been reliant on an own goal from Inigo Martinez to secure a narrow 1-0 in the reverse fixture but there is plenty to suggest a more resounding victory this time round, despite their lack of success in recent visits.
Sociedad have won just two of their last 11 matches in all competitions and while United are far from firing on all cylinders, four wins and two draws since the 2-1 loss to West Brom has gone some way to appeasing the Stretford End faithful.
Unbeaten in three in Europe this term, United have used their midweek outings to get over their domestic blues and many could be tempted by odds of 18/1 on the Red Devils to win the Champions League for the first time in five years.
Moyes’ team have picked up three wins over the last week and have the look of a side showing signs of the talent and belief required to string a series of wins together – starting with all three points at Sociedad.
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