Hernandez insists he is happy to fight for his place as Man United line up ... - Daily Mail

Javier Hernandez has vowed to fight for his place at Manchester United despite the club's efforts to bring in a new striker this summer.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping close tabs on Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao and is considering offer the Mexican as part of a player-plus-cash deal worth £48million.

Borussia Dortmund's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is another on the radar and should United add to their striking options then Hernandez would be the man to make way with Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck all in Ferguson's long-term plans.

But the 24-year-old, who cost United £7million in 2010, insists he is happy to stay and fight for his place despite his lack of starts.

'All the players in the world want to start every single game,' said Hernandez, who has scored eight goals in 15 Barclays Premier League appearances this season.

'When the gaffer wants me on the bench or the starting line-up I will do my best. My attitude is going to be very good because I want to respect the club, my team-mates and the coach.'

However, without Van Persie dropping deep, into the room Wayne Rooney likes to occupy, it is hard to see how the former Chivas man, who needs just two goals to bring up his half century for United, can be shoehorned into the Red Devils starting line-up on a regular basis.

The big difference was, in the latter stages of his career, Owen was prepared to accept a role as replacement, until injuries began to intervene once more.

A lack of games for Stoke - who United face on Saturday - has prompted a different reaction though, with Owen now preparing for a post-game career after confirming he will quit at the end of the season.

'When Michael was called upon, more often than not he produced,' said Rio Ferdinand, a former team-mate for club and country.

'If you had a chance and you had to put your house on it he'd be right up there with the players you'd want it to fall to.'

With just six points from their last 13 games, Tony Pulis' team are embroiled in a relegation scrap no-one at the Britannia Stadium anticipated.

And it seems to have made the Stoke fans question Pulis' tactics in a manner they did not feel a need to following his return to the club in 2006.

Yet Ferdinand has been to Stoke enough times not to get drawn into feeling United can stabilise their own campaign in a degree of comfort.

'When you look at the budget they've more than overproduced and you wouldn't expect to be where they, but this league throws up crazy stuff sometimes.

'Nevertheless, they always put on a tigerish performance against us - we don't expect anything different this time.'