Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Wayne Rooney is back in training and could still play against Newcastle.
Rooney contracted a virus during Manchester United's pre-season tour of Africa and has been laid low for the past couple of weeks.
The striker has now recovered from the illness and Ferguson admits he could still force himself into contention for United's Premier League opener on 17th August.
"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," Ferguson told Sky Sports News.
"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."
Ferguson also issued an upbeat bulletin on the fitness of Michael Carrick and Gary Neville and indicated that both will feature in the Community Shield against Portsmouth on Sunday.
Carrick picked up a bug in Nigeria, while Neville has also missed training this week due to a calf strain.
"Carrick trained yesterday for the first time and hopefully we'll give him some minutes," said Ferguson.
"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."
Owen Hargreaves, meanwhile, is expected to be fit for the Premier League game against Portsmouth at Fratton Park later in the month after having injections in his knee to cure a tendinitis problem.
Ben Foster has also suffered some swelling in his knee which will keep him on the sidelines.
"You can suffer this kind of thing from time to time when you have had a cruciate operation," said Ferguson of the goalkeeper.
"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.
"Hargreaves should be ready for Portsmouth away."
Your Comments
blackfrancis
"Does Rooney still visit "the auld slapper?" He's a perfect player for Man Utd and their fans. "
MGaffney
"Sinned your talking crap so Torres won you's loads of trophies last season oh wait no you won nothing. Rooney won Champs League and prem. So to say he's the Don is just talking out of your hole maybe if you start winning things but thats not gonna happen is it."
megamanc
"wazza is the white pele and thats it.He is more naturally technically gifted than that big spanish nancy horse nando havent seen torres score any wonder goals yet they r all daisy cutters maybe he should just make daisy chains for a living. "
Mikey_Stop
"Sinned 666... he's still doing it. He now seems to be just hitting keys at random like an idiot monkey. I'm calling the yellow van to take him into away again if you can't look after him properly."
sinned666
"yer of course. Wazza said to Ronny like this - Ugh Cristiano, ill let u get all dem gols instead of me ok. So dem everyone will think your the best player in the world and everyone else will think am crap!.. Yurr dumb dumb. Now were has my pie gone.. Daaar thanks Cristiano. Your the best. Duuuur. If thats the case rooney let ronaldo score them goals, then surely Ronaldo should return the favour and loan Rooney his nan for some granny bashing. Get real Rooney didnt let Ronaldo at all. Rooney is average. He was crap last year coz of the amount of goals and press Ronny was getting, not because he was helping ronny... "
footyman22
"SINNED666 my boy ..why DONT YOU SHOOT YOUR C**P SOMEWHERE ELSE !! YOU SPEAKIN COMPLETE BOL***KS DUD(E)"
darn7
"He was second to Cesc for assists last season, and he had plenty of opportunites to score but he let Ronaldo take the spoills. Its' funny to see most of the spastics on this forum only talk about one thing, what he's like off the pitch (grannies, wife etc) which has nothing to do with him on the pitch, where if he is on the pitch United usually win.. you can throw goal statistics around till you're blue in the face, but if you have a player that guarantees you a win 99% of the time... I'd have him there every week"
Mikey_Stop
"Sinned 666, your 5 year old retarded son has been logging in as you again. Better lock him back in the cellar."
sinned666
"Wazza.... Hes a one game a month striker... Your season will be pityful if you rely on him. Torres is the don now, bye bye wazza go and nail another granny. Colly would you lend him your nan for a go."
sinned666
"What difference will it make anyway if hes back or not... If United are pinning there hopes on Rooney getting there season off to a good start then they need to think again. He has one good game a month... "
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