Javier Hernandez has made it clear that he wants to stay at Real Madrid, but only on the condition he is guaranteed regular first-team football.
Los Blancos missed their deadline to turn the Mexican’s season-long loan permanent, but he insists he will happily return to Manchester United if his temporary employers do not come back with a satisfactory offer.
“Yes, [I want to stay at Madrid], but I also want to join a team where I can play and get minutes,” he explained to Marca.
“If I can at Manchester United or another club, I’ll be happy. [First-team football] is my priority over anything else.
“Real had a deadline to exercise their purchase option and missed it.
“At the moment, they’re just like any other club to me as I’m a Manchester United player again. That’s the only reality.
“[It’s true Louis van Gaal didn’t want me at first], but they were under different circumstances.
“Van Gaal arrived and wanted to restructure the squad by cutting it down.
“[United] didn’t have European competition so they preferred to focus on the League and maybe didn’t want so many players because they wouldn’t be able to play all at once.
“Now, the situation has changed. There are the Champions League playoffs and many more matches after that, so I think there may be more opportunities. I think I have a chance of playing for United again.
“I don’t know [if Rafa Benitez] will call me, but I’m sure he’ll win trophies for Madrid. I’d be happy if he did, but I just want to play.
“I have nothing against [Carlo] Ancelotti. He loved me, chose me and I’ll always be grateful for that.
“[As for Karim Benzema’s perceived favouritism], it makes little sense to talk about it.
“Things happened as they did and that’s it. I’m proud to have played for such a big club like Real Madrid.
“[Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo potentially play as No 9 with Gareth Bale on the left] doesn’t seem unreasonable.
“Cristiano shoots from the left but moves into the centre many times in games. It might work, but I don’t know what will happen.
“I gave [my loan spell] everything and lived some great moments. I’m very proud to have played for this badge. There were hard times, but also some great ones.”
