Javier Hernandez has headed goals against Wigan, connecting with a Rafael cross, and Stoke City, somehow stretching to find the target with a back-header after Nemanja Vidic flicked on Nani’s delivery. Some technique.

There is an athleticism to Hernandez, and a determination, that allows him to make such emphatic contact with an aerial ball. “He’s got that marvellous spring, of course,” said his Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.

“It’s his ability to just hang there for a second or two that upsets defenders. There have been players like that in the past: Denis [Law] for instance had that ability to hang and so did Ian St John at Liverpool.” Some praise. Listening in to Ferguson at Old Trafford on Monday were two proud men whose DNA, teaching and inspiration helped shape United’s No 14.

His father, Javier Hernandez Gutierrez, played at the 1986 World Cup, and his grandfather, Tomas Balcazar, represented Mexico at the 1954 World Cup. Some dynasty.