Manchester United News: Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández Could Land On Injured List After Suffering Knee Injury In El Tri Friendly With Nigeria

While the Mexican National Soccer team and head coach Miguel Herrera continue to evaluate players ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, Manchester United remains fixated on landing in the top 4 of the competitive Barclays Premier League by seasons end. The Red Devils currently sit seventh in the BPL and 12 points behind fourth place Manchester City, a team they still have eyes on since finishing in the top 4 automatically qualifies each team for a place at the 2014-2015 UEFA Champions League, a tournament United higher-ups hold in high regard.

Following Mexico's recent 0-0 draw against Nigeria in a pre-World Cup friendly however, bosses at Old Trafford may be forced to enter the final stretch without the services of 25-year-old Javier Hernández, who suffered a knee injury in El Tri's latest international contest. The forward withdrew from the international friendly -- which was played at the Georgia Dome in front of 68,212 fans, a record number for soccer in Atlanta -- after bruising his knee at the midway point and never returned to the pitch. His status for United's upcoming English League showdown with West Bromwich Albion is unknown.

The good news for Chicharito is that the injury does not appear to be overly serious, though waiting for the official test results and MRI could force him to miss his next club match. “It is a bruise, but we have to rule out any ligament strain,” Mexico team doctor Jose Guadalupe Vazquez said. He only has pain and he doesn't have a history of knee instability. The bruise is in the middle part of the knee. We will have to wait to see whether or not it is a strain.”

Shortly after the 0-0 tie with Nigeria, El Tri leader Miguel Herrera said that his team will need to play as a more cohesive unit when they begin World Cup play in June. Placed in a group along with Cameroon, Croatia and host nation Brazil, El Piojo knows his team can advance but added intensity will surely be needed.

“We have to be more together,” he said. "With one day of work, it's very difficult. We were not able to generate a lot of opportunities. There just wasn't time to prepare. Too many players were in Europe, and they like to play a certain way. But I think if we play like this, we can move on.”