Manchester United Boss Plays Down Double Departure This Summer

Sir Alex Ferguson is hopeful both Javier Hernandez and Rio Ferdinand will stay at Manchester United beyond the current season.

Hernandez's future at the club was thrown into doubt last week when the Mexican international voiced his concern over his lack of starts for the club, while Ferdinand is yet to extend his contract at Old Trafford, which currently expires this summer.

The 24-year-old Hernandez has started 20 games in all competitions this season, and has impressively bagged 16 goals in the process, but the arrival of Robin van Persie at the forefront of the United attack has seen his future come under scrutiny with increasing regularity.

Persistent rumours linking the club with moves for Atletico Madrid star Radamel Falcao and Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski have not helped matters, but Ferguson insists Hernandez still has a vital role to play at the club.

"There is no real reason to think this is not the place for him [Hernandez]," Ferguson said, the club's official website reports.

"We hope he feels as though he has made a contribution. He has scored 16 goals. When he came on the other night [against West Ham United] his movement was terrific. He created a lot of openings for us. "

Despite his advancing years, Ferdinand has still played a significant role in Ferguson's side this season, particularly when the Scot's central defensive options were limited to just the 34-year-old and Jonny Evans due to injury earlier in the campaign. With 24 appearances in the Premier League alone so far, Ferguson has suggested that he is keen to tie the defender down to a new deal as quickly as possible, despite reports linking him with lucrative moves to Major League Soccer and the Far East.

"I've spoken to Rio," Ferguson added. "At this moment in time, he's more concerned about getting opposition for his testimonial game. He's working hard on that for the moment.

"We want him to stay and obviously I'm sure his representatives will be discussing things with David Gill. I wouldn't imagine that [moving abroad] would be the best thing for him."