Wayne Rooney got back on fans’ good side after signing a contract extension with Manchester United, but he still has to wait before he can prove himself on the field again.
Rooney was expected to be back from an ankle injury for the Nov. 10 derby at Manchester City. Manager Alex Ferguson said that Rooney will not be playing in that game and that Rooney’s healing process "may be longer," according to ESPN.com.
Rooney injured his ankle on Oct. 20 but had not had a good start to the season, scoring just one goal in two months.
But with Rooney’s absence, another star has had the chance to shine.
Javier Hernandez has four goals in his last four games, including two against Stoke City on Oct. 24.
"Seeing him in preseason and training we thought he would do well,” Ferguson said. “He is young and wants to learn and he comes from a really good football pedigree. He speaks the language and that is important. Everything is in his favor."
The 22-year-old attacker signed a contract with Manchester United in April, previously playing for Guadalajara. Hernandez represented Mexico at the 2010 World Cup, netting two goals.
