Is Manchester United Ruining Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez's Career?

Mexico's poor performance in the World Cup qualifiers has continually come under microscopic scrutiny by a number of pundits. First it was Jose de la Torre that was given the blame for failing to inspire the players. When he got fired it was clear that the problem was deeper than that and after the display under two new coaches, it is clear that the blame falls squarely on the players. However, there is one particular player that has symbolized everything wrong with Mexico - Javier Hernandez.

It is unfair to place the blame on just one player but years Hernandez, or "Chicharito" as he is often called, has been the image of Mexican soccer around the World. The national team has lived and breathed through him and his emergence as one of the game's top stars made many believe that Mexico was entering into a Golden Age. Chicharito's own arrival at Manchester United has precipitated such talk, but this may be the main issue with Chicharito, and by extension Mexico.

In Tuesday's qualifier against Costa Rica, Hernandez was given prime opportunities to finish off to solid plays from Mexico. While most top end strikers would have scored on both chances, Hernandez failed on both attempts. On the first one, he seemed afraid of taking a shot and dished it off to Oribe Peralta who was offside. On the second attempt, he failed to control the ball and had it swept away from his feet. The second wound up in the back of the net, but no thanks to Chicharito. After those two chances, Hernandez was dormant for the remainder of the match and failed to make any impact for his nation.

Hernandez's lack of confidence stems from his lack of playing time with his club. He was brought in a few years ago to be the strike partner for Wayne Rooney, but in the summer of 2012 Sir Alex Ferguson went out and bought Robin Van Persie to play with Rooney. The result? Hernandez found himself on the bench for most of the year and was looked upon as the third string striker. Hernandez continued to score goals at a solid rate, but the lack of playing time has not only led to a player lacking in match sharpness, but also a star who lacks the confidence of carrying a team on his shoulders.

At 25 years of age, Hernandez is entering into his prime but has not been shown any trust from his current club. The lack of confidence and the minimal responsibility has not given Hernandez the fortitude to become a franchise star, much less a national hero. When he goes from the sheltered setting of Manchester and is thrust onto the national stage, Hernandez looks timid and unprepared to be what everyone wants him to be - the go-to guy. Peralta is eclipsing Hernandez right now as the team's most reliable scorer, but Peralta lacks the potential of Hernandez and is not the kind of player that can carry a team. There was a time when Hernandez was that kind of player, but his last few season with United have started to stunt his growth.

Hernandez has hinted at a move away from United, potentially to a team where he will be asked to take on bigger responsibilities that will help him be the star everyone wants him to be. If Mexico is to be a major force at the World Cup next summer (if they even get there), then Hernandez must make the big move and take his future into his own hands rather than wait for an opportunity to be given to him from the Manchester United bench.