Sir Alex Ferguson has said he has no reservations about relying on Javier Hernández and Federico Macheda from the start of next season and believes they will ease the goalscoring burden on Wayne Rooney at Manchester United.

The two young strikers were impressive during United's 5-2 victory over the MLS All‑Stars on Wednesday, Macheda scoring two early goals and Hernández, this summer's £7m signing from Chivas Guadalajara, completing the win with an exquisite finish on his debut for the club.

While Ferguson considers streamlining his attack by allowing Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf to go out on loan next season, the United manager insists the 18-year-old Italian and 22-year-old Mexico international are at the forefront of his plans. With Michael Owen still injured, and Rooney returning to training only this week after a post-World Cup holiday, Macheda and Hernández could be required from the start of United's attempt to win the league title back from Chelsea.

The United manager said: "They give us the back-up we are going to need. We've got a decision on whether to let Welbeck and Diouf go out on loan, although I am starting to think about it again. I need to keep Macheda and I need to keep Hernández, who has just joined the club. That is imperative. There is purpose in the way they play their football. It is not just talent. You don't play at this club with just talent, you need something else and they have that something else."

Ferguson described Macheda as "probably the best player going through against the goalkeeper that we have" after the former Lazio youth striker produced a clinical finish against the MLS goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts after just 22 seconds at the Reliant Stadium. The forward has endured a frustrating time with injury since exploding on to the scene with a critical goal against Aston Villa in April 2009 and made only five Premier League appearances last season.

"I had many injuries and was out for almost five months so I couldn't really show my strengths," said Macheda. "But this season I hope to have more chances to show what I can do.

"We have seven strikers so if there is one more or one less at the club it doesn't matter. Every one of them is a challenge to each other. I think this year could be the one for me, I think so because I'm trying to get fit so I can show what I'm capable of doing.

"I just want to stay and grow as a player here. Even if I only play a bit, I will be playing alongside big players and against big teams, so I'm definitely staying here."

Ferguson, who will be without Gabriel Obertan for several weeks after the French midfielder suffered an ankle injury against the All-Stars, was also effusive in his praise of Hernández, who appeared as a 62nd-minute substitute and will play for both United and his former club Chivas in a friendly in Guadalajara tomorrow.

The United manager said: "The one thing that defenders always worry about is players with speed, players who will get into the space behind them. His goal against the All-Stars gave an indication of that speed. The timing of his run – coming towards the ball and then spinning – shows he's going to be a threat to defenders, no question about that.

"How the combination with Wayne will work – I think we will need to adjust a little bit because I think they could both be similar types of players. At the moment we will just assess Hernández and try to bring him to a consistent level of form. He has still got little things to do but not a great deal in terms of technique. Once he gets used to our training I think he will be OK."