Hernandez to miss Olympics
Manchester United have confirmed that striker Javier Hernandez will not be part of Mexico's football squad at this summer's Olympic Games in London.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said that the 23-year-old forward will take the full summer off in order "to get the requisite rest that he needs to perform in the Premier League."
Hernandez, nicknamed Chicharito, joined United from Chivas Guadalajara in 2010 before heading off to that summer's World Cup finals in South Africa, and ended his first season in English football by helping Mexico win their sixth CONCACAF Gold Cup, claiming the tournament's Golden Boot in the process.
As such, Hernandez has not had a significant break from competitive football in three years, something which may explain his downturn in form.
He surprised many by scoring 20 goals during his first campaign in England, but this season has struggled to replicate that form, scoring only 12 times as places in the starting line-up have been much harder to come by.
"His form last season was fantastic," Ferguson told the club's official website. "He’s found the second year more difficult, but a lot of that is down to not having a summer break for three years and playing every summer for his country.
"Next year he will be fine as we have agreed with the Mexican Football Association that he is going to get the requisite rest that he needs to perform in the Premier League."
Hernandez will still take his place alongside his countrymen for their two World Cup qualifiers at the start of next month.
