Chicharito to miss Olympics

Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez will not play for Mexico in the Olympics this summer, Sir Alex has confirmed.



The Reds striker will instead be afforded a full summer’s rest for the first time in three years before the start of the new season.



Hernandez’s second campaign at Old Trafford has not reached the same sensational heights as his first, and Sir Alex believes a lack of rest is partly to blame.



"His form last season was fantastic," the United boss said. "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 turns 24 on June 1 and had initially been called up for London 2012 to occupy one of the three slots permitted for players aged over 23. It had even been suggested he would take up the role of flag-bearer for his country at the opening ceremony.



The last of Mexico’s three group games is on August 1, meaning Hernandez would have been well shy of the 28 days’ rest Sir Alex prefers his players to have in the close season.



Chicharito will, however, be involved in Mexico’s two World Cup qualifiers at the start of June.