Sir Alex Ferguson believes prolonged rest will benefit Javier Hernandez

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed striker Javier Hernandez to have a "top season" at the club.

The Mexican forward struggled to recapture the heights of his opening season at Old Trafford last year, but Ferguson believes that Hernandez will benefit from a prolonged rest over the summer.

Ferguson told Inside United: "I think this season we will see a better Chicharito.

"For the last four or five years, he has played throughout the summer. This year, with the co-operation of Mexico, he has had a proper rest.

"That was important for him and I'm sure he will reap the benefits. We've already seen the fruits of that in the early training sessions and I think he'll have a top season."

Hernandez signed for Manchester United from Mexican club Guadalajara in 2010.