Javier Hernandez's return to Old Trafford to face Manchester United: Five Premier League players who went back to haunt their former clubs

  • Javier Hernandez signed for West Ham in July for £16million
  • The 29-year-old played for Manchester United for five years until 2015 
  • Ex-Manchester United striker returns to Old Trafford on Sunday with new club
  • Sportsmail highlights five players in the Premier League who upset former sides

Javier Hernandez will return to Old Trafford with West Ham on Sunday after signing for the club this summer for £16million from Bayer Leverkusen.

Mexico's all-time leading scorer had a marginal role at Manchester United between 2010 and 2015 but enjoyed two impressive years in the Bundesliga.

The 29-year-old known as 'Chicharito' scored 26 goals across all competitions in his debut season and added another 12 in an injury-hit campaign last year.

Javier Hernandez developed a reputation as a penalty box poacher at Manchester United

Javier Hernandez developed a reputation as a penalty box poacher at Manchester United

The Mexico international scored 37 Premier League goals across five seasons at United

The Mexico international scored 37 Premier League goals across five seasons at United

Hernandez returns to Old Trafford with West Ham looking for a dream start for his new club

Hernandez returns to Old Trafford with West Ham looking for a dream start for his new club

Jose Mourinho will be hoping the striker does not spoil his first home game of the season.


Here, Sportsmail takes a look at five Premier League players who made an impact against their former clubs.

 

Emmanuel Adebayor

The Togo striker signed for Manchester City for £25million from Arsenal in 2009.

Within two months of making the switch the 33-year-old scored the third goal in City's 4-2 win over the Gunners.

The sprint from one end of the pitch to the other to slide on his knees in celebration in front of the Arsenal fans will always be remembered.

It was not the perfect return as he was sent off for catching former team-mate Robin van Persie in the face with his studs. 

Emmanuel Adebayor was certainly fired up when he face Arsenal with Manchester City

Emmanuel Adebayor was certainly fired up when he face Arsenal with Manchester City

Adebayor ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the travelling Gunners fans

Adebayor ran the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the travelling Gunners fans

Andy Carroll

Before the arrival of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool Carroll's move from Newcastle for £35million in 2011 was the club's record transfer fee.

The striker did not fit in at Anfield and after a loan spell at West Ham he signed for the east London club for £15.5million in 2013.

He finally scored against his former club in 2016 heading home from a Mark Noble cross in a 2-0 win.

Although it took him until his third season to score against his former side, Carroll's goal highlighted Liverpool's defensive frailties. 

Andy Carroll endured a difficult time at Liverpool but fared well against them for West Ham

Andy Carroll endured a difficult time at Liverpool but fared well against them for West Ham

Carroll rises highest to plant a trademark header into the corner against the Reds in 2016

Carroll rises highest to plant a trademark header into the corner against the Reds in 2016

Robin van Persie

The Dutch striker swapped London for Manchester in 2012 after completing a £24million move to Manchester United from Arsenal.

He took just three minutes to score in his first match against the Gunners and he scored a penalty on his first return to the Emirates.

The 34-year-old scored three league goals against Arsenal during his three years at Old Trafford. 

Robin van Persie slots his shot into the bottom corner for Manchester United against Arsenal

Robin van Persie slots his shot into the bottom corner for Manchester United against Arsenal

The Holland striker did not celebrate after his first goal against the Gunners following his move

The Holland striker did not celebrate after his first goal against the Gunners following his move

Christian Benteke

The striker joined Liverpool for £32.5million from Aston Villa in 2015.

Benteke was another forward who failed to secure a permanent starting position at Anfield.

He scored only nine goals in 29 appearances for Liverpool compared with 42 in 89 at Villa.

In 2016 Benteke signed for Crystal Palace for a club-record fee of £32million and proved a point against his former side in April 2017.

He scored both goals in Palace's 2-1 win at Anfield which threatened Liverpool's Champions League chances. 

Christian Benteke left Liverpool for Crystal Palace and came back to haunt his former club

Christian Benteke left Liverpool for Crystal Palace and came back to haunt his former club

The Belgium international caused all manner of problems for the Reds as Palace sealed victory

The Belgium international caused all manner of problems for the Reds as Palace sealed victory

Cesc Fabregas

The former Arsenal captain's move from Barcelona to Chelsea for £30million in 2014 was unexpected as the Gunners had a buy-back clause on the playmaker.

When the two sides met just four months after the transfer the Spain international was instrumental in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Arsene Wenger's side.

He did not score but supplied a sublime pass to Diego Costa to score the second goal of the game.

In the 2016-17 season Fabregas finally scored against his former side in a 3-1 win lobbing Petr Cech who had mistimed his clearance. 

Cesc Fabregas helped Chelsea to a routine 2-0 home win over Arsenal in October 2014

Cesc Fabregas helped Chelsea to a routine 2-0 home win over Arsenal in October 2014

Fabregas' celebrations was muted when he scored against his former club last February

Fabregas' celebrations was muted when he scored against his former club last February