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Javier Hernandez has revealed how the Manchester United team reacted to the news of Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

The Mexican, who is set to return to Old Trafford on Sunday with his new club West Ham, was reminiscing on his time in Manchester, and recalled how he and his teammates were stunned by the Scot's decision.

Chicharito enjoyed a special relationship with the legendary manager, and won two Premier League titles while playing under him, reports the Manchester Evening News.

But the Mexico international was sold to Bayer Leverkusen by Louis van Gaal two years ago after a loan spell at Real Madrid and has now returned to the Premier League with West Ham.

(Image: Icon Sport) (Image: West Ham United FC)

Speaking ahead of returning to Old Trafford, Hernandez alluded to the difficulties United had in replacing Ferguson after he broke the news of his retirement to players in the dressing room at Carrington.

He explained: "I didn't see it coming. Nobody did. It was very strange. We were shocked. It was his life.

(Image: Getty)

"He was the manager who brought me here and opened the door to Europe. He gave me a lot of opportunities to live the dream.

"We all knew there was going to be a transition (at United). You cannot have a manager for 26 years – the best manager in history, achieving everything, changing the squad every couple of years, changing players, even all the staff sometimes – there was always going to be a transition.

(Image: West Ham United via Getty Images)

"The change of Sir Alex retiring, we knew it was going to be very difficult. He was unique in the history of football."

Earlier this summer, Jose Mourinho insisted he never would have sanctioned the striker's sale had he been at United at the time, describing Hernandez as a 'killer' and capable of scoring 20 goals a season.