Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez has joined Spanish side Real Madrid on a season-long loan.

Real have an option to buy the 26-year-old, who joined United from Guadalajara in 2010, at the end of the deal.

The Mexican international is surplus to requirements at United after they agreed to take Colombia striker Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco.

European champions Real were looking to add to their attack following Alvaro Morata's £15.8m move to Juventus.

Hernandez, who is under contract with United until June 2016, will provide back-up at the Bernabeu for first-choice striker Karim Benzema.

 Hernandez scored 20 goals in his debut season as United went on to win the Premier League title in 2010-11.

He added another league title in 2012-13 and has scored 37 times in 102 league appearances, although over half of those were as a substitute.

The striker helped Mexico reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil, scoring in the 3-1 group-stage win over Croatia to take his tally with the national team to 33 goals in 66 appearances.

Hernandez could make his debut for Real when they travel to Deportivo La Coruna in the Primera Division on 20 September.