When Javier Hernandez departed Manchester United on a permanent basis for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, he did so having scored a respectable 59 goals in 157 outings for the Red Devils.

Many of those were important goals for a variety of reasons, including late winners, equalisers or match-clinching strikes.

So, it was somewhat fitting that the Mexican's first competitive goal for the club - scored five minutes from time in a Champions League tie away in Valencia five years ago today - would seal all three points for United.

With Wayne Rooney sidelined through injury, there had been suggestions that Hernandez, who had arrived from Guadalajara in July, would start in the Mestalla. However, with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes also absent, Sir Alex Ferguson opted instead to play Dimitar Berbatov as a lone striker, which allowed him to tighten up the midfield.

Yet, following a relatively mundane opening 77 minutes in Western Spain, Ferguson turned to Hernandez to replace a tiring Anderson and soon after his introduction, the frontman went close to breaking the deadlock.

Nani's cross towards the back post was perfect for Hernandez, but he could only send his effort against the upright. Nevertheless, when a second opportunity arrived in the 85th minute, the 22-year-old was more precise with his finish.

Again Nani was involved as the Portuguese winger played a pass inside for Federico Macheda, who had only just come on for the lacklustre Berbatov. Macheda in turn drilled the ball in to Hernandez and having taking one touch to steady himself, he fired a low shot into the bottom corner of Cesar Sanchez's net.

"[Hernandez is] developing a lot of his game. You cannot take away from the fact that he is a fantastic finisher. When he took his chance it was as if he was shelling peas. It's so natural to him. Either, he's a fantastic finisher and he's proven that tonight," Ferguson told reporters after the final whistle.

Hernandez himself added: "It was a great night. I am so happy about the goal but also it was important to get the win and the three points. I always used to watch the Champions League when I was back home in Mexico. It is one of the most important tournaments in the world, so I was always keeping up with it.

"The goal will give me so much confidence. I am only at the start of my career with United and to score so early in the Champions League is a big boost. It is great to be a Manchester United player and I want that to continue for a long time."

It was a goal that sparked a good run of form for Hernandez, who went on to find the net on 20 occasions in all competitions to help United win the Premier League title and reach the final of the Champions League at Wembley, where they were defeated by Barcelona.

Valencia: Cesar; Maduro, Navarro, Mathieu, Miguel; Albelda (Topal), Pablo, Costa (Fernandes), Dominguez (Aduriz), Mata; Soldado

Man United: Van der Sar; Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael (O'Shea); Anderson (Hernandez), Park, Carrick, Nani, Fletcher; Berbatov (Macheda)