For most of the match, United looked to be heading to a second straight draw, with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard in inspired form.

United also struggled to break down the partnership of Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka at the heart of the Everton defence.

However, Hernandez, as he has done on many occasions in his debut season, popped up with an important goal in the 83rd minute to give United a hard-earned victory, and more importantly, three valuable points.

Speaking after the game, Hernandez stressed the importance of persistence, having already been denied twice by brilliant saves from Howard, before he found the breakthrough.

"There was a little bit of frustration but you need to keep going in the next play, and the next, and the next," Hernandez said on MUTV.

"You can't stay there only thinking 'I missed it', you need to be ready for the next one."

Hernandez was also quick to draw attention away from himself, instead choosing to salute United's work ethic.

"For 90 minutes we kept going and kept going because we wanted the goal, wanted the three points as soon as possible."

"We keep going, keep working and it was a difficult day also because it was hotter and that made us a little bit more tired."

"But the history of Manchester United is like this - we can score in the first minute and also the last minute."

With United facing Schalke in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, as well as two potentially pivotal clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea in the next two weeks, Hernandez insisted United had only been focused on Everton before Saturday's game.

"It's the only thing we have in our mind and thankfully we got it [the win]."

"It's unbelievable because we know the importance of these three points because we need to get all the points we possibly can."

Hernandez admitted the next fortnight would be extremely crucial for his team, and stressed the importance to put the team ahead of their individual selves.

"This is the key part of the season, we have Schalke then the two games against Arsenal and Chelsea."

"It doesn't matter who scores."

"We think always that the team is the most important thing."

"We don't need to be selfish and think only of scoring."

Hernandez has been a relevation in his first season at Old Trafford, with his winner against Everton being his 19th of the campaign, a significant contribution from a player who only cost Sir Alex Ferguson a reported £6million.