Bayer Leverkusen chief baffled by Manchester United decision to sell Javier Hernandez

Bayer Leverkusen chief Michael Schade thinks Manchester United are desperate for a striker like Javier Hernandez. The 27-year-old Mexican was sold to the German club during the summer transfer window and Schade has admitted to being baffled by the decision to allow him to leave Old Trafford.

Hernandez has been in great goalscoring form since moving to Leverkusen, finding the net 19 times in 22 games. Schade thinks United manager Louis van Gaal was guilty of underestimating the striker's quality.

"Van Gaal did not know that he is a good player. That's what I read in the English newspapers. They are criticising his former coach, Louis van Gaal, because he didn't recognise what kind of talent this was," he said, according to the Manchester Evening News.

United have struggled to find the net this season, scoring just 24 goals in 20 league games. Schade believes the Red Devils would love to have a striker like Hernandez in their ranks.

"To be honest, Manchester would need a striker like him for the time being, but we're happy to have him. I think it was a big surprise for many football fans all over the word that he decided to go to Leverkusen, because he's played at Madrid and Manchester," he said.

"We are a top team, a European top team, but not belonging to the first five. Nevertheless, we were convinced that he could help us to fulfil our objectives and that's what he did."