By IAN GORDON
The Mexican was handed only his second league start since New Year’s Day as the Red Devils won 2-0 at Stoke on Sunday.
Chicharito has had to be content with cup action and substitute appearances — even though the goals had dried up for Robin van Persie.
That led to speculation about his long-term future at Old Trafford — although boss Alex Ferguson has regularly praised his contribution this season.
His haul of 16 goals for the campaign represents a decent effort by Hernandez who was recently linked with a move to Atletico Madrid in part-exchange for Radamel Falcao.
‘Little Pea’, 24, said: “It is frustrating. All the players in the world want to start every single game, every week. Of course any player wants that.
“I’m happy to be at this club but I’d love more games. My attitude is that even when the gaffer wants me to be on the bench I’m going to do my best.
“I have to respect the club, Manchester United. But of course I would to start more.”
The free-scoring form of winter has deserted all of United’s frontmen over the last couple of months with RVP getting just one in 13 prior to his penalty at Stoke.
Hernandez has managed four in his last 10 appearances but said: “It’s part of football.
“This can happen, sometimes you are scoring a lot of goals and sometimes a few. But we need to keep creating the chances and we will score.”
United could take a step closer to the title when they travel to West Ham tonight.
And Hernandez feels Fergie’s side are back on track after slipping up in the FA Cup at Chelsea and then in the Manchester derby.
He said: “We are trying to learn about the mistakes from the City game and put them right. It’s important to keep the gap and win it as well as possible. The history and the level of Manchester United, even if you had a 12-point gap and lost three, it would not feel good. We want to win every single game.”
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand returns to his first club tonight with his future still to be decided. He will be out of contract in the summer and while there is talk of a new deal, nothing has been agreed.
The defender, 34, said: “I’m just enjoying my football, playing in the big games.”
Asked if he could emulate 39-year-old team-mate Ryan Giggs, he added: “I hope so but when you get to my stage you take it year by year. No one else will be able to do what Giggsy has done. He’s got a certain body type — work it and get the best out it — and he’s doing that.”
And of United’s big lead, he admitted: “I’m not surprised. I believe we can win games in different ways, winning ugly or playing fluent football.”
MAN UTD (likely): De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra, Valencia, Cleverly, Carrick, Welbeck, Rooney, Van Persie
