Drop Wayne Rooney! Man Utd must use hotshot Hernandez from the start of a match.

What does Javier Hernandez have to do to earn a start at Man Utd. Photo: BBC Sport

I am an admirer of the football Man Utd can at times play. Tonights stubborn performance against Blackpool saw United take a smash and grab three points with a 3-2 victory. Whilst it irritates some football fans that United refuse to be beaten, I for one see it as a magnificent testament to what they are all about as a footballing side. One thing however is bewildering me...Why is Wayne Rooney not sat on the bench for Man Utd?

I do not want to go on about the sparkling career that Wayne Rooney has had, nor the threat he still poses as a player on the field of play. Javier Hernandez has scored on 7 occasions this season, most of which have come from a cameo appearance towards the end of games; opitimised by the fact he has seen only 753 minutes of football this season. On the other side of the coin, Wayne Rooney has played over 1000 minutes of football this season, scoring only twice.

Before I state the case for Hernandez' inclusion in the starting line up, I want to discuss the problem I have with Wayne Rooney's starting for Man Utd. On the positive side of things, Rooney has contributed nine assists this season; a very good statistic that has allowed Dimitar Berbatov (as well as others) to prosper in front of goal this season. I also believe that you cannot really fault Wayne Rooney's work rate as a player; whether he is producing or not, he always runs himself into the ground. HOWEVER... those who have watched Rooney play this season will know that he is simply nowhere near the top of his game. His assists have mainly come from very simple passes and good build-up play from United as a team. Likewise, his problems in front of goal continue this season. Rooney (whether instructed to or not) is coming so deep to get the ball that he is playing as a midfielder. I believe that in this position, Man Utd have a number of players who can do what Wayne Rooney is currently doing.

Javier Hernandez has shown the impact he can have from the bench, as well as when he starts. He is thriving in the Premier League when he is given the chance. Tonight's match against Blackpool once again allowed 'Chicharito' to show that he adds value to the United side as a goal scorer and a player who links up play and can spot a fantastic pass. I do not believe that psychologically some players are more effective from the bench. The same has been said in the past about Peter Crouch. Instead, I believe that Hernandez is hungry and takes his opportunities whenever he is given them.

Wayne Rooney cost Man Utd a lot of money; and on last season's form he can once again be one of the worlds best Striker and goal scorers. At the moment however I think he is best suited to a place on the bench; coming on in the latter stages of a game to put pressure on the opponents and defend from the top.

Dimitar Berbatov tonight scored his 19th and 20th goals of the season. Together in the league, Berbatov and Hernandez have a total of 23 league goals; statistics that are fantastic when you consider how long they have spent on the pitch.

To finish, I put a couple of questions to you as football fans (Utd and other)... Why does Wayne Rooney deserve to keep his starting place, given the poor goal scoring form he is in? How has Javier Hernandez not done enough to gain a place in Man Utd's starting 11?...

DH