Language key for DDG - Hernandez

Published Aug. 18, 2011 9:16 a.m. ET

foxsports

The young Spanish goalkeeper has endured a tough baptism to life with the champions with his high-profile errors in the victories over Manchester City and West Brom following his arrival from Atletico Madrid. Filling the gloves of the legendary Edwin van der Sar was always going to be a tough task, but the 20-year-old, who is having daily language lessons, has not been short of support from all around Old Trafford. Hernandez proved it is possible to make an immediate impact after arriving from overseas, with the Mexico international plundering 20 goals in all competitions last term. The former Chivas forward arrived last summer with family members in support and a good grasp of his new adopted language and feels that was key to his integration. "Moving to a new country is always difficult, but the fact my dad and my sister came to live with me was a huge help," Hernandez told The Daily Mirror. "That made things easier. "What I miss most about Mexico isn't the food or the customs, it's my family and the way we'd all sit around chatting together. "I spoke pretty well when I first arrived here and since then I've been improving bit by bit, understanding more and more and speaking better. "But the truth is that knowing English was a massive help, because it meant I could communicate in the dressing room and get to know my colleagues more quickly. "I've been treated wonderfully in Manchester and I simply need to repay that faith. I had a very good first season and I hope to be able to contribute much more. "I think there are good times ahead with this team and I'm very excited about the opportunities ahead in the coming season."