Monday, February 6th, 2012
Sir Alex Ferguson may field Javier Hernandez as Rooney’s strike partner for this afternoon’s Community Shield (formally Charity Shield) against arch-rivals Chelsea.
First choice striker Rooney has excelled as a lone frontman for United last season, scoring 33 goals for the club – who failed to get their 19th EPL title.
However, with Hernandez joining Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Federico Macheda at Old Trafford, Ferguson is set to revert to a 4-4-2 formation when he deems it appropriate.
“We have not tried anything like it yet but we have played two strikers in the past,” he said. “It doesn’t mean it will happen every week but it will happen on some occasions.
“Hernandez has had a good start. He is an intelligent player with tremendous pace and penetration. The Mexican league is tough, so bringing players to England from there is not going to be a problem.”
He added: “We are pleased with the young strikers we have. [Danny] Welbeck and [Mame Biram] Diouf will go on loan, which leaves us with five: Berbatov, Rooney and Owen along with Macheda and Hernandez. That is sufficient.”
Ferguson reiterated that he has no plans to go into the market this summer despite chief executive David Gill having said that funds are available.
“I don’t see the value in adding to our squad,” he said. “I am happy with what we already have and I don’t see any reason to add to that just because people want me to buy someone.
“Supporters want you to buy players. They like to see a big signing every year. Sometimes the players like to see a big signing, but we have to be sensible about it. We look at our own squad and ask what do we need? I look at the players everyone says are available and they don’t excite me.”
Tags: Chelsea, Community Shield, Javier Hernandez, Manchester United, Wayne Rooney