Leverkusen, Apr 18 (IANS): Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez believes that current manager Louis van Gaal is still capable of turning the English Premier League (EPL) club's fortunes around, despite facing a lot of criticism recently after a poor season.

The Mexican striker has taken the Bundesliga by storm this season since leaving Old Trafford for German outfit Bayer Leverkusen in September.

Hernandez was named Bundesliga player of the month three consecutive times in November, December and January and has scored 16 goals in 25 league games so far this season.

The 27-year-old still respects the beleaguered United manager and said the latter can guide the club back to the summit of English football if he is given more time.

"He is a really good manager to be honest. He has his own ways like all the managers in the world. You will not find the new Sir Alex Ferguson in the next 50 or 100 years because he was unique. He was special," Hernandez was quoted as saying by Sky Sports on Sunday.

"Van Gaal can do it but in football, time and results are going to speak about if he is the main man or if he is not."

While Hernandez has scored freely for Leverkusen, United have struggled in front of goal and are on course to shatter their record for lowest goals scored in a Premier League season.

The Red Devils have managed just 40 goals from their 33 games so far, while their previous low of 58 goals was set in 2004/05.

"He just told me that my chances to play would be very hard. I appreciate that he was very honest since the beginning. When I left, he told me my chances and my opportunities were going to be less because his main striker was going to be Wayne Rooney," he said.

"If he wasn't fit for example, I was going to play but when he was ready he would play," Hernandez concluded.