Sir Alex Ferguson backs Wayne Rooney to bounce back

Rooney did not score for England in four games at the World Cup

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed striker Wayne Rooney to bounce back from his poor showing for England at the World Cup.

After a stunning 34-goal season for United, Rooney failed to score in four matches in South Africa as England were knocked out by Germany in the last 16.

But Ferguson said: "I don't expect a hangover. But I think there'll still be disappointment in the lad."

Rooney, 24, has been left out of United's tour of North America to rest.

Ferguson has also left Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic and Park Ji-Sung in England to recover from their exertions in South Africa.

"I think all the players coming back from the World Cup who didn't do well, who didn't reach their expectations may I say, will feel that they've missed something," explained Ferguson, who was speaking at the official launch of United's new kit for the 2010-11 season.

"That's because the World Cup's only once every four years. That's the horrible part of that tournament.

606: DEBATE Looks alright! Can't beat those Umbro 90s kits though. That 1996 kit with OT faded into the background and the big Cantona collar! Chris

"We have several players who have come back very, very disappointed. We've Patrice Evra for instance, Wayne Rooney of course, and Nemanja Vidic."

Despite negative World Cup experiences for Rooney, Evra and Vidic, Ferguson has backed Mexico striker Javier Hernandez, a summer signing from Chivas de Guadalajara, to build on his impressive showing in South Africa.

"I think one player who will come back quite positive because he had a good World Cup was young Javier Hernandez. I think he did very well and he surprised a lot of people," said Ferguson.

"So whereas we've got some disappointments from players like Wayne, Nemanja and Patrice, I think we're going to have a positive effect from Javier."

United open their four-match North America tour in Toronto on Friday against Scottish Premier League side Celtic.

Ferguson's side begin their Premier League season on 16 August when newly-promoted Newcastle travel to Old Trafford.