Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has gone down an unexpected route after being left without a club
Javier Hernandez in a cooking video
Javier Hernandez in a cooking video
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Manchester United legend Javier Hernandez has left fans gobsmacked with an unexpected career switch. The Mexico international, 37 has been embarking on a new journey as a TikTok chef.
Hernandez, fondly remembered as part of United's last two Premier League title-winning teams, left Europe in 2020. He rejoined boyhood club C.D. Guadalajara in 2024 but left in December last year and has not found a new club since.
The striker, nicknamed Chicharito, appears to have taken a surprising detour in his career. Those who remember his United career were left bewildered when he appeared on their social media feeds demonstrating how to prepare his favourite sandwich.
In the TikTok video, Chicharito showcases his cooking prowess as he fries some beef, chops vegetables, and concocts his own pesto for a Milanese sandwich, done the Chicharito way.
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The video, which has garnered over 300k likes, saw fans flocking to the comments section expressing their astonishment. "*scratches eyes* Chicharito???" wrote one.
"Chicharito is doing side quests now," quipped another, adding a crying laughing emoji. A third chimed in: "Now that is something that I didn't expect today!
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"I saw this man in his prime, now bro is a chef.. before GTA 6," joked a fourth. Another asked: "This AI or am I buggin??"
Hernandez joined United from his hometown club Guadalajara (known as Chivas) back in 2010 and scored on his debut in the Community Shield. He also won the Premier League in his maiden season and reached the Champions League final, where United were beaten by Barcelona.
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He secured another Premier League championship with the Red Devils in 2013 before his playing opportunities began to diminish under David Moyes. A temporary move to Real Madrid followed, along with a stint at Bayer Leverkusen, before he returned to the Premier League with West Ham.
The Guadalajara-born star ended his spell with the Hammers in 2019, the same year in which he won the last of his 109 Mexico caps. His European adventure ended with a brief stint at Sevilla before he returned to North America for stints with LA Galaxy and Chivas.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Javier Hernandez of Manchester United celebrates his goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
The striker is best-known in Europe for his time with Manchester United(Image: Shaun Botterill, Getty Images)
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During an emotional video around the time of his move to Los Angeles, Hernandez was reduced to tears after recognising his time in Europe was over. He described it as "the beginning of my retirement," before explaining to his father what was going through his head.
"Don't worry, look, what I mean is that we're saying goodbye to a career that we put a lot of effort on and we worked, and I know you guys also feel it," he continued. "We're going to look at the bright side, but whether we like it or not we are retiring from the European dream."