Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
If he has not already got one foot out the Old Trafford door, Javier Hernandez has been given a great opportunity to impress the new Manchester United manager this Sunday.
Hernandez scored Mexico's third in last night's (MON) 3-1 victory over Croatia, which has set up an intriguing second round encounter with the Netherlands and their outgoing coach Louis Van Gaal.
The Dutchman will take over at United once his side's involvement in the World Cup is at an end but there is speculation that Hernandez, who started only six Premier League games last season, is to leave in search of regular first team football.
His international coach Miguel Herrera even suggested this World Cup will provide the 26-year-old, known as "Chicarito", with the perfect opportunity to secure a move.
Show all 62 1 /62World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Germany 1 Argentina 0 Mario Gotze celebrates the winning goal in the World Cup final at the Maracana
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 0 Netherlands 3 In the third-place play-off Brazil were unable to salvage any pride as they went down 3-0 to the Dutch. Robin van Persie scored from the spot after Thiago Silva pulled Arjen Robben down. Daley Blind produced a cute finish to double the lead and Georginio Wijnaldum made it another embarrassing scoreline for the hosts with his injury-time goal.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Netherlands 0 Argentina 0 (Netherlands win 4-2 on pens) Sergio Romero saved two spot kicks as Argentina set up the final against Germany.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 1 Germany 7 Brazil's World Cup dreams ended in humiliating and brutal fashion as Germany inflicted their heaviest defeat in the first semi-final in Belo Horizonte.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Argentina 1 Belgium 0 Argentina reached their first World Cup semi-final since finishing as runners-up in 1990 with victory over Belgium in Brasilia.
AP
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0 (Netherlands win 4-3 on penalties) Goalkeeper Tim Krul came off the bench late in extra time and saved two penalties as the Netherlands beat Costa Rica in a shootout to set up a World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results France 0 Germany 1 Germany became the first nation to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals as Mats Hummels' early header proved enough to see them past France at the Maracana.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 2 Colombia 1 The hosts tooka an early lead through captain Thiago Silva and doubled it through David Luiz's stunning long range free kick. Colombia got one back with a James Rogriguez penalty but couldn't find the equaliser in a thrilling game.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Belgium 2 United States 1 (aet) The teams could not be separated in normal time, and nor could they score most thanks to an inspired performance from Tim Howard, but in the extra 30 minutes the game exploded. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku scored before Julian Green set up a thrilling finale, but the American dream came to an end
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Argentina 1 Switzerland 0 (aet) Switzerland proved stubborn opponents and did enough to take Argentina to extra-time. With the game just minutes away from penalties, Lionel Messi played in Angel di Maria whose first time strike was beyond the goalkeeper and into the corner
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Germany 2 Algeria 1 (aet) Andre Schurrle scored the first goal for Germany after Algeria took one of the favourites to win the tournament to extra-time. Mesut Ozil then added a second but there was just enough time for Abdelmoumene Djabou to get one back. It was too late though and the last African nation standing was out
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results France 2 Nigeria 0 France celebrate after beating Nigeria thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and an own goal from Joseph Yobo
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Costa Rica 1 Greece 1 (Costa Rica win 5-3 on penalties) Umana scored the decisive spot-kick to send Costa Rica through. The Central American side went into the lead through Bryan Ruiz before Óscar Duarte saw red. Playing against 10 men, Greece found a way through just before the end of normal time thanks to Sokratis Papastathopoulos. However they could not find another and the match went to penalties
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 Robben won a controversial late penalty as the Netherlands won in Fortaleza, with Huntelaar scoring from the spot
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Colombia 2 Uruguay 0 James Rodriguez was the star man during the triumph over Uruguay, including scoring arguably the goal of the tournament
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 1 Chile 1 (Brazil win 3-2 on penalties) The poster boy Neymar held his nerve in Belo Horizonte
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Algeria 1 Russia 1 Islam Slimani broke Russia's hearts when he equalised in the 60th minute of this match. Russia had needed a win but Slimani's goal took Algeria level at 1-1 and there were no further goals. The result meant the north African side reached the knock out phase for the first time in their history.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results South Korea 0 Russia 1 Jan Vertonghen celebrates scoring the only goal of the match during Belgium's game against South Korea. The victory ensured his side finished top of Group H with three wins from three.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Portugal 2 Ghana 1 Cristiano Ronaldo finally got on the scoresheet and with it won his side the match. But with an inferior goal difference to the United States it wasn't enough
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results United States 0 Germany 1 The United States might have lost - but their German manager Jurgen Klinsmann was delighted as his team still went through. Thomas Mueller got the only goal of the game to take his tally to four.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Ecuador 0 France 0 Ecuador frustrate the French at the Maracana but they can't find the winner to take them through to the second round alongside their opponents
AFP
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Honduras 0 Switzerland 3 Xherdan Shaqiri's hat-trick helps Switzerland to beat Ecuador to the runner-up spot in Group E and progress to a second round tie against Argentina
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 Iran 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina finally get their first win of a poor campaign as they see off Iran and end their hopes of progression in the process.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Nigeria 2 Argentina 3 Lionel Messi stars once again as he scores twice in the victory over Nigeria, although the Africans progress to the last-16 alongside Messi and Co.
Getty
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Italy 0 Uruguay 1 Luis Suarez holds his teeth while Giorgio Chiellini lies in pain during the incident that overshadowed what was an incredible result for Uruguay. The Liverpool striker appeared to bite the Italian defender, but it went unnoticed by the referee. Two minutes later Diego Godin scored the only goal of the game and with it took his side through to the next round and dumped Italy out.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Costa Rica 0 England 0 Roy Hodgson gave the kids a chance in this dead rubber and at least they were able to claim a point for England at this World Cup.
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Cameroon 1 Brazil 4 Neymar's superb two-goal show inspired Brazil as the hosts eased through to the last 16 of the World Cup, finishing top of Group A to set up a meeting with Chile.
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Croatia 1 Mexico 3 Mexico captain Rafael Marquez once again led by example to help carry his side into the last 16 with a 3-1 victory over Croatia which ended their hopes of qualifying from Group A.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Netherlands 2 Chile 0 Netherlands and Chile met in the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo to determine who would finish top of Group B and it was the European side that came out on top. Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay scored the two goals, both of which came in the second half.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Australia 0 Spain 3 Torres and Mata celebrate during Spain's win over Australia in which the reigning champions were able to leave the competition with their heads held higher than they might have been. The pictured pair were on the scoresheet after David Villa has opened the scoring.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results USA 2 Portugal 2 Silvestre Varela equalised in the 95th minute to keep Portugal in the competition, heading in from Cristiano Ronaldo's cross. A defeat, and Portugal would have been knocked out of the competition.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results South Korea 2 Algeria 4 Those who tuned in to a game billed as possibly the least glamorous of the 2014 World Cup were treated to one of the most thrilling matches yet. Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Yacine Brahimi scored for Algeria with Son Heung Min and Koo Jacheol on target for South Korea.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Belgium 1 Russia 0 Divock Origi celebrates with Eden Hazard after scoring with just a couple of minutes left on the clock. It was the 19-year-old's first goal for his country and ensured the competitions dark horses went through to the next round with a game to spare
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Nigeria 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal of the match and with it ended Bosnia-Herzegovina's hopes of going beyond the group stage in their first ever World Cup
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Germany 2 Ghana 2 Miroslav Klose came off the bench to slavage Germany a draw and tie Ronaldo as the most prolific goalscorer in World Cup history with 15
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Argentina 1 Iran 0 Lionel Messi is jubilant and relieved as he scores the goal in Belo Horizonte yesterday that put Argentina into the knockout stages
EPA
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Honduras 1 Ecuador 2 Enner Valencia scored twice for Ecuador to come from behind and win
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Switzerland 2 France 5 Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in a game where seven different players got on the scoresheet
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Italy 0 Costa Rica 1 Bryan Ruiz heads home as Costs Rica pull off a shock to qualify from Group D
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Japan 0 Greece 0 Greece captain Kostas Katsouranis was sent off in dull stalemate
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Uruguay 2 England 1 Heartbreak for England as Luis Suarez scores twice in defeat
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Colombia 2 Ivory Coast 1 James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero scored as Colombia progressed to the second round
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Cameroon 0 Croatia 4 Mario Mandzukic scored twice as Croatia thrashed 10-man Cameroon. Alex Song was dismissed.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Spain 0 Chile 2 Chile sent the holders Spain packing with goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz.
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Australia 2 Netherlands 3 Despite Tim Cahill's cracking volley, Australia were beaten 3-2 by the Netherlands, who scored thanks to Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Russia 1 South Korea 1 Igor Akinfeev gave away a shocking goal against South Korea but thankfully for him Aleksandr Kerzhakov quickly scored at the other end as the game ended 1-1. Fabio Capello could have been excused for feeling a sense of deja vu after his side's opening game.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 0 Belgium 0 Neither side were able to break the deadlock with Mexico goalkeeper Francisco Ochoa in inspired form to deny a host of chances, particular a point blank header from Thiago Silva.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Belgium 2 Algeria 1 Marouane Fellaini celebrates after coming off the bench to bring the scores level. Fellow substitute Dries Mertens then scored the winner.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Ghana 1 USA 2 John Brooks headed a late winner for USA in a thrilling victory. The defender scored four minutes after Andre Ayew equalised. Clint Dempsey had put USA ahead in the first minute.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Iran 0 Nigeria 0 Some rare goal-mouth action during the 0-0 draw between Iran and Nigeria. It was notable for being the first game of the tournament without a goal. That was all it was notable for.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Germany 4 Portugal 0 Thomas Mueller scored a hat-trick for Germany in this 4-0 drubbing. Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to make much of an impact, with his team-mate Pepe taking more headlines for being shown a red card.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Argentina 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 Lionel Messi stole the headlines after his mazy run and cool finish gave Argentina a 2-1 victory. Many have tipped the South Americans to go all the way, but it took a moment of magic from Messi to clinch victory on Sunday night.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results France 3 Honduras 0 France overcame an aggressively-minded Honduras side to record a 3-0 victory, with striker Karim Benzema scoring twice and setting-up the third.
Vinicius Costa | Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1 Switzerland substitute Haris Seferovic wheels away in celebration after he snatches a late victory for the Swiss, just moments after Ecuador missed a chance to win the game themselves.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Ivory Coast 2 Japan 1 Gervinho celebrates his winner after the Ivory Coast came from a goal down to beat Japan in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results England 1 Italy 2 England's valiant effort was not enough in Manaus as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Italy, with Mario Balotelli scoring a second-half winner.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Uruguay 1 Costa Rica 3 Joel Campbell led Costa Rica to a stunning 3-1 shock victory over much-fancied Uruguay. Luis Suarez was unavailable for the South Americans, with the striker watching on in despair from the bench.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Colombia 3 Greece 0 Colombia took their chances against a lacklustre Greece side that offered very little in resistance to the South Americans.
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Chile 3 Australia 1 Alexis Sanchez helped Chile get off to a winning start as the dispatched the Socceroos 3-1 in Friday's final match.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Spain 1 Netherlands 5 Robin van Persie netted one of the greatest headers seen in World Cup history, as the Netherlands recorded one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history in smashing the reigning champions 5-1 in a clinical display.
Getty Images
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Mexico 1 Cameroon 0 Mexico should have emerged as comfortable winners against the African side, after Giovanni Dos Santos saw two legitimate goals chalked off for offside.
GETTY IMAGES
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 3 Croatia 1 Superstar Neymay helped get the hosts off to a controversial victory after he scored twice in the defeat of Croatia. The match was blighted by a penalty decision in which Fred appeared to dive, leading to a wrath of fury coming from the Croation camp.
Hernandez was unwilling to acknowledge that his club and international careers would intersect this Sunday in Fortaleza.
"The thing is [Van Gaal] is the manager for the Netherlands and I am a player for Mexico, there is nothing else," said Hernandez, who was full of praise for Netherlands' striker Robin Van Persie, whose arrival at Old Trafford two years ago saw the Mexican slip down the United pecking order.
"We spent two very good years together and won one league together. He's a great team-mate and I am learning a lot from him and it will be nice to see him," he said.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez headed his side in front in the 73rd minute, making it three consecutive World Cups in which the former Barcelona man has scored.
"He is a great character," said Hernandez. "He is the captain here and supporting us in the best way possible — inside and outside the pitch."
For Croatia playmaker Luka Modric, after 2006, it was another World Cup exit at the group stage.
"Mexico were the better team, only tonight," said the former Tottenham midfielder. "Especially after the first goal, we could not recover from that and Mexico were the only team on the pitch."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies