Source: Team_Talk
Ferdinand hails Hernandez
Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand believes team-mate Javier Hernandez is an example to all young strikers.[LNB] Ferdinand is hoping to be alongside Hernandez on Saturday when United visit Liverpool in an eagerly-awaited Premier League encounter.[LNB]And he would much rather be in that position than find himself in the boots of his Liverpool counterparts, for the 32-year-old knows from experience how difficult the Mexico frontman is to handle.[LNB]"Not a lot of strikers make the runs he does," Ferdinand told Inside United.[LNB]"It's physically demanding.[LNB]"You have to be really fit to make those movements for 90 minutes.[LNB]"If I was a coach I would tell every young striker that he should take note of how Javier plays.[LNB]"That is what you have to do if you want to be a top footballer."[LNB]After suffering concussion on his first day of training on United's pre-season tour, then sustaining heavy knocks against both Chelsea and Stoke last month, Hernandez has struggled for continuity so far this season.[LNB]He still managed a couple of goals at Bolton though and Sir Alex Ferguson will hope the striker, who is set to sign a new long-term contract with the Old Trafford outfit, can find the net this weekend just as he did on his first visit to Anfield last March - albeit after Dirk Kuyt had bagged a hat-trick.[LNB]United have lost just twice in 28 matches since - at Arsenal and to Barcelona in the Champions League final.[LNB]And, after collecting 19 points from a possible 21 in the Premier League this term, Ferguson is convinced his team have improved since that chastening night at Wembley.[LNB]"Sometimes these things go in cycles," Ferguson told United States-based satellite radio station Sirius XM.[LNB]"At the moment, Barcelona are in a fantastic cycle. They have a tremendous squad of players.[LNB]"The challenge is to reach them.[LNB]"We have introduced some young players to the club this season who have tremendous ability and a great energy and spirit about them.[LNB]"We are making big strides towards the level Barcelona have achieved in the last two or three years."[LNB]Despite his shock at being hit by a three-match suspension for his red card in Montenegro, which will rule him out of England's entire group phase, Wayne Rooney is set to be included.[LNB]Ferguson also hopes to have skipper Nemanja Vidic available for the first time since the opening-weekend win at West Brom.
