Hernandez can be 'major influence'

Javier Hernandez has already impressed his new coaches and manager with some outstanding displays at the World Cup – prompting Reds assistant boss Mike Phelan to suggest he can have a “major influence” at Old Trafford.

Hernandez will meet up with his new team-mates on the summer tour of America in time for the match against his former club Chivas in Mexico. And Phelan says everyone at United is looking forward to linking up with the 22-year-old.

"We were quietly pleased with what we saw of Javier at the World Cup,” Phelan told ManUtd.com.

“He’s still on a break after being in South Africa with Mexico, but we’d like to get him on board as quick as we can, so he’ll join us in America. Then hopefully he’ll be a major influence on the team.”

Hernandez’s World Cup performances justified United’s move for the young striker, whose two goals - one of them an unerring finish in their second round 3-1 defeat to Argentina – highlighted his abundant potential.

“We did the deal before the World Cup and that has probably helped us a little bit!” added Phelan. “He has only just begun his career with the national team, but already he is a very influential player for Mexico. He’s young, he’s athletic and he’s as keen as mustard. He’ll be a good addition to what we’ve already got.

"We all hope he hits the ground running and adds to what we think is a good blend of youth and experience in our squad. We just hope it all comes together.”

Hernandez isn’t the only new face in the United ranks this summer. Young centre-half Chris Smalling joined from Fulham in a pre-announced deal and has been training with his new colleagues at Carrington this week. He is another player who has impressed Phelan.

“We’d spoken to Chris a few times before he actually joined us,” said Mike. “He knew he was coming to the club so we kept in close contact with him. He’s with us now and looking forward to the challenge.

"A club this big is brand new for him. But given time and with a bit of patience, I’m sure he’ll do well. The tour will help him settle in and get to know everyone.”

Hargreaves to miss tour

Owen Hargreaves has today been ruled out of United's pre-season tour.

Sir Alex Ferguson told MUTV: "The bad news is that Owen Hargreaves is back in America seeing the specialist. He won't be ready for the start of the season. I don't know when he'll be back."

The midfielder was sidelined between September 2008 and April 2010 and required surgery on both knees but did return to action at the end of last season. He played 45 minutes for the Reserves before making a brief appearance off the bench in the first-team's final away fixture at Sunderland.

There’s plenty of positive news for United fans, though, with the boss confirming three key men should recover from injury in time to line up for the start of the season.

“Antonio Valencia should be okay and Nani should be ready for the start of the season, too. Michael Owen is doing great – he’s doing all his work in the gymnasium every day. I don’t think he’ll be fit to go to America but he should be ready for the start of the season.”

The boss also revealed Rio Ferdinand faces a battle to be fit for the Reds’ first league test, at home to Newcastle United on Monday 16 August, although admitted it will be a race that’s run close.

“It depends on how his progress is over the next few weeks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brazilian midfielder Anderson remains on track to return from a cruciate knee injury in late September.

“He’s doing fine, he’s working hard, but it will be late September.”

Man United are just FABIANO

LUIS FABIANO hopes to play alongside his dream strike partner Wayne Rooney at Manchester United.

Seville want around £40million for the Brazil hitman - who aims to add to his two-goal World Cup tally in tonight's last-16 clash with Chile.

Fabiano revealed: "Premier League football attracts me and the way United play football attracts me.

"You think about being Wayne Rooney's strike partner and that is very attractive for any striker.

"I've made it clear I will not be signing a new contract with Seville.

"At 29, I now need to join a club where I can start challenging for the highest honours. The choice will come down to Manchester United or AC Milan."

Manchester City striker Robinho has hit six goals in Brazil's last five matches against Chile.

He said: "I've always been lucky against them. I hope that's what happens again."

Michael Owen targets US comeback

A hamstring injury sustained in February's Carling Cup final cut short Michael Owen's first season as a United player. Now, after surgery and months of rehabilitation, the striker says he's looking forward to lacing up his boots on United's pre-season tour.

Speaking at the launch of Sky Sports 1&2 on BT Vision, Owen revealed he's nearing full fitness.

"I'll be ready for the start of the season, although I might have to miss one or two pre-season games on the American tour," he said.

That news may come as a blow to fans in Toronto, where United kick off pre-season preparations on 16 July, but supporters in Philadelphia, Kansas City, Houston and Guadalajara (Mexico) will be hopeful of seeing Owen in action.

He's certainly making good progress and has worked hard over summer in order to make a full recovery from an injury that turned out far more serious than first thought.

"Basically, I tore my hamstring. It came apart. I had surgery to tie it back together and at this stage I'm not sprinting but I am kicking balls."

Pair become United players

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez and Chris Smalling are officially United players from today (1 July).

The two new boys initially agreed deals to join the club during the last season, and their contracts are now effective.

United fans have been excited by Chicharito’s promising displays at the 2010 World Cup. The talented striker hit two goals in four games for Mexico, including a superb late effort in his side’s last-16 defeat to Argentina at the weekend.

Chicharito is determined to succeed at Old Trafford. "My expectations are to do the best I can personally, to work, to learn, and to win many trophies," the 22-year-old said when the deal was first announced – to near-universal surprise – in April.

Defender Smalling, who played 18 times for Fulham last season, agreed terms on a four-year deal in January. The 20-year-old will link up with his new team-mates at Carrington next week as those players not involved in the World Cup return to training.

Chicharito will be given some time off after his exploits in South Africa and will meet his new team-mates for the first time during July's trip to the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Reds fans will likely get their first glimpse of the duo during the tour, and Sir Alex has confirmed Chicharito will play some part in the friendly against his former club Chivas.

Scholes eyes coaching role

PAUL SCHOLES wants to go into coaching when he hangs up his boots at the end of next season.

The Manchester United midfielder has agreed to play for one more campaign at Old Trafford.

He revealed: "I am coming to the end of my playing career and I maybe have one year left.

"I have started doing my coaching badges back in England and hopefully one day I will be able to coach kids or coach some kind of team somewhere."

Scholes narrowly missed out on a 10th Premier League champion's medal when Chelsea pipped the Red Devils to the title last season.

But United boss Alex Ferguson believes Scholes still has the quality for another year at the top.

And the 35-year-old is under no illusions about the influence the great Scot has had on his career.

The ex-England star said: "He has been great. It goes without saying what a top manager he has been.

"The amount of players he has brought through the youth team is great and it gives hope to all the kids in the youth team that if they are good enough he will definitely use them.

"It has just been fantastic working with him and I think there is a good few years left in him yet."

Fergie in £25m Giorgio swoop

ALEX FERGUSON will launch a £25million bid for Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The Juventus centre-back, 25, is the Manchester United chief's top choice to replace Nemanja Vidic, should the Serb quit Old Trafford as expected.

Despite being one of the biggest names in Serie A, Chiellini earns a modest £1.7m a year and has two seasons left on his current contract at Juve.

It is understood that the Old Lady of Turin would accept a bid for him as they look to rebuild their side following a disastrous season - they finished seventh in the Italian top flight.

And Fergie is on red alert, with Manchester City expected to launch a £20m bid for wantaway Vidic in the next few days.