The Mexico international had adopted his "supersub" role under Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring 20 goals in his first Premier League season before being forced to settle into a bit-part player under David Moyes and then Van Gaal.
His natural ability in front of goal never left Hernandez despite the lack of game time at Old Trafford, and he arrived in the Bundesliga with a point to prove. Nineteen goals in 22 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen had Van Gaal ruing his decision to let him leave the Red Devils, but Hernandez had found a tailor-made role at his new home.