Giggs - Hernandez fantastic

Ryan Giggs has praised Javier Hernandez's 'fantastic' impact at Manchester United after the striker reached 20 goals for the season.

Outside his native Mexico, few had heard of Hernandez before Sir Alex Ferguson completed his cloak-and-dagger operation to sign the forward in April last year.

A couple of decent performances at the World Cup gave an indication Ferguson might have landed a £7million bargain, but even the United manager did not expect the 22-year-old to make the impact he has during an incredible campaign.

Starting from an unorthodox goal on his debut in the Community Shield, to Sunday's 36-second stunner, both against Chelsea, Hernandez has continued to amaze and has now become the first United player to score 20 in his debut campaign since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2001.

"Twenty goals in his first season is unbelievable," said United veteran Giggs.

"You are always in with a chance when you have a goalscorer like Javier in your team.

"He has made a fantastic impact, on and off the pitch. His English is perfect, which has helped, and his goal just sums up his season.

"Sometimes those chances can come a bit early for you. You are not quite up to speed. Thirty seconds, he gets a chance, he scores.

"He deserves everything that has been said about him."

With United on the brink of a record-breaking 19th title following Sunday's 2-1 victory over nearest rivals Chelsea, Giggs shrugged off criticism of the champions-elect's performances this season.

He added: "We all concede that we weren't playing brilliantly in the first half of the season. But we were getting results.

"In the second half of the season our performances and results have been excellent.

"We don't really care what people say. We know the quality that is in the dressing room, so does the manager."