Manchester United loanee Javier Hernandez: Real Madrid future uncertain after Lazio interest

Manchester United loanee Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez faces an uncertain next 48 hours after Lazio made an approach to secure his services before the end of the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

The Mexico international moved from Manchester to Real Madrid on loan last summer, following the arrival of Radamel Falcao to Old Trafford, in order to secure more playing time.

But with Karim Benzema immovable up front for manager Carlo Ancelotti, the United loanee has only started five games and played 509 minutes of competitive football during the first part of the campaign - 161 in La Liga, 180 in the Copa del Rey and 168 in the Champions League.

Hernandez recently revealed his frustration over the situation and with his future at Old Trafford also uncertain, he suggested he will move somewhere else where he can play more regularly at the end of the season.

"I am not sure what will happen in the summer yet but whatever happens I need guarantees. I am 26 now – in the summer I will be 27 – I must be at a club where I am going to be playing regularly," he said.

Even though Ancelotti wants him to stay until the end of the season, Spanish newspaper Marca reports Lazio have expressed an interest to take him on before the end of the transfer window – which in Spain is on Friday 30 January rather than Monday 2 February for the Premier League.

According to the reports, Real Madrid's initial response to Lazio was "Chicharito is not going anywhere" as Ancelotti believes the Mexican could still be important should of one of Real's other first-team strikers – Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema - pick up a serious injury.

Marca understands Hernandez will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu until the summer but admits that even though the player "is thrilled to be at Real Madrid and loves the city", he may be tempted to advance his exit to this January rather than waiting to secure more playing time in the second part of the campaign.