As another shot from Javier Hernandez rippled the net during Manchester United's pre-season training last summer, Paul Scholes turned to Sir Alex Ferguson and made the most prophetic of predictions.

In just a few days, Scholes had already seen enough of Hernandez's predatory finishing to feel confident Ferguson had landed one of the bargains of the season and he tipped the Mexico striker to score 20 goals in his debut season.

Scholes' belief that Hernandez would make most the of his role as a substitute seemed wildly optimistic given that he was hardly a household name in world football when he arrived at Old Trafford from Mexican club Guadalajara.

Even Ferguson felt it would take the youngster at least a year to become acclimatised to the pace and power of the Premier League.

But Hernandez, nicknamed the "Little Pea", exceeded both their expectations.

He is the first player since Ruud van Nistelrooy 10 years ago to hit 20 goals in all competitions in his debut season for United and has been widely hailed as one of the main reasons for his team's successful bid to regain the title from Chelsea.

"Paul Scholes saw him in training and said he would get us 20 goals as a substitute," Ferguson said. "We didn't expect such an impact. We thought a year of introducing him to the club and adapting to English football and strengthening him up.

"He's done all those things already. He comes in every day at 9 and he's the last to leave, this boy is very dedicated."