Football
Jeff Carlisle, U.S. soccer correspondent 10y

Herrera says Chicharito should move

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Mexico national team manager Miguel Herrera says he is in favor of Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez leaving Manchester United.

Hernandez made 24 league appearances for the Red Devils last season, but just six of those were starts, and reportedly he has been told by new United manager Louis Van Gaal to look for another club.

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Herrera is of the belief that a change of scenery in needed and thinks Hernandez's rumored move to Juventus would serve the player well.

"I think [Chicharito] needs to leave," said Herrera in an exclusive interview with ESPN FC, with the help of a translator. "I think [Juventus] would be a good option for him. When a coach doesn't want you -- when you have your best experience, your best moment with them, and now the coach that wanted you is no longer there -- it's time to move.

"I think there are a lot of opportunities. They are not bad opportunities. If he goes to Juventus that would be an extraordinary team. Without a doubt, it would be a nice change for him. Hopefully he'll see more minutes."

Herrera added that the door is still open for Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela to make a return to the national team.

Vela hasn't appeared for Mexico since March 2011. Back in 2010, Vela was suspended for six months for violating team rules. Following his return he fell out with then-manager Jose Manuel "Chepo" De La Torre, leading him to turn down subsequent call-ups to El Tri.

That was expected to change when Herrera took over late last year, but to the surprise of many, Vela decided not to participate in the 2014 World Cup, saying he wasn't 100 percent committed to the cause.

With a new World Cup cycle now beginning, Herrera said he's willing to give Vela another chance, though he admitted there are limits to his patience.

"Today, we're starting from zero," said Herrera. "Everybody is going to have the same possibility and opportunity. There will be a moment when [director of national teams Hector Gonzalez Inarritu] and I will look and talk to Vela. But we're very conscious of his thoughts, and we're clear that if he doesn't want to come to our call-up, and without an explanation, then we are going to close the door, completely.

"Vela is a great player. Hopefully we can count on him. He's a player that can make a difference."

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