United save millions in deal

Houston: Manchester United saved millions by signing Mexican striker Javier Hernandez before he shone at the World Cup, manager Alex Ferguson said on Monday.

Hernandez, who joined his new team mates in Houston on Monday, could make his United debut in today's game against the MLS All Stars.

Ferguson, who will wait for news on the 22 year old's fitness before deciding whether to play him, paid tribute to the club's scouts who plucked the forward from Mexican club Chivas de Guadalajara.

"I think our scouting people deserve 10 out of 10 for identifying him before the World Cup and I think if we had been trying to negotiate after the World Cup it would have been very difficult," said Ferguson.

"I think a lot of teams would have been after him and it would probably have cost us two or three times more," he added.

United did not disclose the transfer fee they paid to Chivas but media reports have placed the deal as worth around £7 million (Dh39 million), including United playing a friendly in Mexico on Friday.

Ferguson was full of praise for the Mexican club for helping keep the deal quiet.

"Our relationship we have built with Chivas has been excellent, they really were very accommodating in everything..the amazing thing was that no one in the club said a word."