Manchester United are prepared to start the season with Wayne Rooney as their only established senior striker, with manager Louis van Gaal saying Javier Hernandez "can prove himself" and possibly once again figure into the club's plans.
Van Gaal has revealed the Mexican will join up with United’s touring party on Saturday, where he’ll be a major draw for adoring Mexico fans in the US, and has challenged him to show his worth.
“He can prove himself again and now Falcao and Van Persie are gone, his chances are better,” the United manager said.
Hernandez spent last season on loan with Real Madrid, largely coming off the bench. He scored eight goals in 31 appearances across all competitions for the Spanish giants.
At times he flashed the old form that saw him score 13 goals in 27 league matches in his first season at United in 2010/11.
Then 22, it appeared he was destined for stardom with the Premier League giants, but he never improved his tally, scoring 10 league goals each of the next two seasons before he managed just four in 24 league appearances, almost entirely from the bench, in 2013/14.
Hernandez appeared to revive his fortunes, at least for a brief spell, in April when he started at Madrid in place of the injured Karim Benzema and firedi n four goals in a span of four matches.
Van Gaal has sold Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce and decided against signing Radamel Falcao on a permanent basis from AS Monaco, meaning his now only left with Rooney, unproven youngster James Wilson and Hernandez in the forwards department.
United have been linked with a number of strikers this summer including Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane and Edinson Cavani of Paris Saint-Germain.
But Press Association Sport understands United are unlikely to bid for another striker before the transfer window shuts on September 2.
Rooney played in midfield at times last season, but it is understood that Van Gaal wants to use his captain as a central striker in a 4-3-3 formation this campaign.
The 29-year-old played as a lone frontman in United’s tour opener against Club America in Seattle on Saturday and he is likely to remain up front this season.
Even if Rooney gets injured before the transfer window shuts, senior sources at the club insist Van Gaal would probably refrain from dipping into the market for a striker.
Van Gaal is understood to be confident about the number of goals he has in his team.
The United manager has been impressed by Memphis Depay’s shooting technique and free-kicks in training so he believes the £25 million (Dh143.2m) winger can replicate the kind of form that saw him bang in 22 league goals for PSV Eindhoven last term.
Depay was encouraged by the way he combined with Rooney in the 1-0 win over Club America at CenturyLink Field.
“Wayne coached me a lot through the game and talked to me about which position I should take and when to defend,” the Dutchman said.
“We have to form a duo and I have the right feeling with him. It’s an honour to play with such a legend like Wazza.”
There is also a feeling among senior figures at the club that Hernandez will come good at United this season despite being offloaded to Real Madrid last term.
A decision on whether to send 19-year-old Wilson out on loan will be taken later in the transfer window.
The teenager is likely to get a run-out in United’s second tour match against the San Jose Earthquakes, which takes place at the Avaya Stadium on Tuesday night.
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