Injury Update

In Ferguson's ususal Friday press conference he has spilled the beans on United's injury 'crisis'.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley, Sir Alex hopes Carrick will be fit to play some part...

'Carrick trained yesterday for the first time and hopefully we'll give him some minutes.'

Also available will be Nani and Gary Neville, who expected to take up the armband...

'Nani and Neville will be fit so they will travel also. Nani will probably start on Sunday but he is suspended for the game against Newcastle.'

Looking further ahead and Sir Alex had encouraging words regarding Wayne Rooney...

'Rooney is starting training today (Friday) but as I said earlier in the week, we have a big job to get him ready for next week. But with seven or eight days' training we may just make it. He is much better, the medical reports are good and we think he is clear of the virus. Hopefully we will get him ready for the Newcastle game.'

Ben Foster is likely to miss the first few games due to a swelling in his troublesome knee, something Ferguson is well aware of...

'You can suffer this kind of thing from time to time when you have had a cruciate operation. We are trying to manage the swelling but he is not ready to take part in any games. It is unfortunate for the lad because he was looking forward to the new season.'

Finally, speaking of Owen Hargreaves, Sir Alex admitted it was unlikely he would be fit for the Newcastle game, but reassured fans he would take part in the second game of the season against Pompey...

'Hargreaves should be ready for Portsmouth away.'

Good news all round then. What a fillip it would be to get Rooney ready for the season alongside Carlos Tevez!

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