My inspiration! Hernandez will help me become even better, reveals Rooney

Wayne Rooney thinks that another season playing alongside Javier Hernandez will ensure he becomes an even more prolific goalscorer.

Hernandez surprised many in his debut season in England by scoring 20 times for United following his bargain £7million move from Guadalajara to Old Trafford.

Rooney, by contrast, did not enjoy his most productive season last time out, despite United winning the title for a record-breaking 19th time.

Partners in crime: Wayne Rooney (bottom) and Javier Hernandez 

The England star struggled after a poor World Cup, was the subject of speculation over his private life and even seemed set for a move to Manchester City after demanding a transfer.

But after choosing to sign a new deal at United instead, Rooney finally found his form after Christmas and forged a superb partnership with Hernandez in the latter stages of the season that inspired the Red Devils to the Champions League final.  

Rooney is quick to point out Hernandez's role in his success, and suggests that the pair can inspire each other to even greater heights.

On Hernandez, Rooney told MUTV: 'He's a lovely lad who is great for us around the dressing room. Me and him do a lot of finishing after sessions to try and keep progressing and getting better.

International break: Rooney scored twice for England against Bulgaria

'It's great to have a lad who has just come into the team, who speaks good English and is always smiling. It's great for him and for me to have someone like that. I think we can both learn from each other.'

Rooney also scoffed at the thought that Hernandez could suffer from the dreaded second-season syndrome and struggle to live up to his explosive first season in England as defenders get used to the Mexican's style of play.

He added: 'Of course people know about him now but, if you look at all the top players around the world, people know how they play and it's still difficult to stop them.

'I'm sure people will know a bit more about him this year but his movement is so good it's difficult to defend against. It won't be easy for players to defend against him whether they know about him or not.'

Back on the scoresheet: Chicharito netted for Mexico against Poland last week

By the end of the season Hernandez had moved past Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Federico Macheda in the United strikers' pecking order.

He now also has Danny Welbeck for extra competition, when he returns from a hamstring injury, after the England youngster returned with a bang from a loan spell at Sunderland.

Hernandez has now returned to action after missing the start of the season with a head injury, and Rooney now fully expects 'Chicharito' to build on his sensational debut year and hit the back of the net even more this term.

Rooney said: 'He was a young lad in his first season and I probably didn't think he was going to play as many games as he did.

'Once he got into the team, he took his chance and the manager kept him in. He repaid the manager with goals and was brilliant for us last season - a big reason why we won the league.

'I'm looking forward to him doing the same, if not scoring more goals for us, this season.'