Fifteen years after his transfer from Guadalajara to Manchester United, Javier Hernandez still stands out as one of the Premier League’s most successful footballers from North America.

The Mexican striker became the first player from his country to win the English top division, lifting two Premier League titles during his five-year stay at Old Trafford. In that period, he scored 59 goals in 157 appearances for the club.

Hernandez also spent two seasons at West Ham United and was later ranked eighth on FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest North American footballers of all time. Reflecting on his 2010 move across the Atlantic, he admitted that the entire experience felt almost unreal.

“It was like a movie!” Hernandez said in a conversation with FourFourTwo. “Everything happened so fast and felt surreal. I had no idea about anything until my father met Jim Lawlor, the chief scout. I couldn’t believe it. I cried.”

He continued, “We kept everything secret because Manchester United believed they could get a good deal and didn’t want other clubs to find out. At first, I couldn’t even tell my agent or the rest of my family. When I finally met Jim, that’s when it hit me — this was actually happening.”

“One day, while I was driving, I got a call. When I answered, I heard Sir Alex Ferguson on the line! His Scottish accent was so hard to understand over the phone!” Hernandez recalled with a laugh. “He just wanted to make sure I knew how much they wanted me. Manchester United’s agreement to play the first match at Chivas’ new stadium also helped a lot with the negotiations.”

Hernandez’s move coincided with reports that his father had resigned from his role as Chivas’ reserve team coach because the club wouldn’t let him travel to watch his son play at the 2010 World Cup.

“It wasn’t exactly like that; it was a mix of reasons,” Hernandez clarified. “I was about to play in the World Cup and then move to Manchester. I wanted my parents and my sister to come live with me. My father had to quit his job to watch me play for Mexico and then move with me. I was deeply grateful — there are no words to describe what my family was willing to do for me.”

Asked what it was like for a 22-year-old to swap life in Mexico for Manchester, given the vast difference in climate and food, Hernandez replied, “I’m so thankful I got to live in Manchester because it made me realise I could live anywhere in the world. For nearly half the year, you don’t even see the sun! It was a huge adjustment, but I loved it.”

“After my official presentation as a Manchester United player, my entire life changed,” he added. “I don’t think I’m the best Mexican footballer ever — that honour goes to Hugo Sanchez, followed by Rafa Marquez — but maybe I’m the most well-known. I never really thought about how many people would be watching me, but deep down, I’m still Javier. There’s a person behind ‘Chicharito’, and that’s what truly matters.”