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Ferguson expects Hernandez to return to star form

Javier Hernandez was a revelation last season © PA Photos

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Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that Javier Hernandez can reproduce the goalscoring form that saw him emerge as one of Manchester United's star players last season.

Hernandez, 23, was expected to take time to settle after arriving at Old Trafford from Chivas Guadalajara last year, but he immediately adapted to English and European football - scoring 20 goals in a sensational debut campaign.

That form saw him earn plaudits the continent over and he also scooped the United Fans' Player of the Year award after helping fire the club to a record 19th league title and the Champions League final.

Chicharito has been reduced to a watching berth so far this season, with a combination of a pre-season head injury and the outstanding form of Danny Welbeck keeping him out of the first XI.

But with Welbeck now sidelined with a hamstring injury, Hernandez will make his first start of the season against Bolton on Saturday, and Ferguson does not fear that the Mexico striker will suffer a bout of second-season syndrome.

"When you analyse the boy, his movement in the penalty box is absolutely exceptional,'' Ferguson said. "Of all the players I've had, his awareness of decision making and getting space is as good as any.

"I don't anticipate any problem in the second season because when you have that kind of quality, you are going to be a problem for defenders.''

Meanwhile, Ferguson has hailed the recent performances of Chris Smalling at right-back, but confirmed that the England defender would be moved back into his favoured central position in the future.

"It fell on him really because Rafael got his early season injury and, in the Community Shield, we had to consider the height of the Manchester City team,'' Ferguson said.

"We knew they were a big team so we had to balance out the aerial strength somewhere along the line. Bolton is another example of where the height of Smalling and his ability in the air is a big bonus for us.

"But we do have to be fair to him because we brought him here as a centre-back. His time there will come but the way he is playing at the moment there's no need to change.''

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