UNITED v Chelsea
Sunday, August 8th 2010
930PM Live on Astro Supersports!

Reds ready for Wembley trip

Sir Alex Ferguson has a number of injuries to contend with ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield showdown with Chelsea. But otherwise his Reds squad is nearing full fitness for the start of the season, and the United boss will use the game to enhance his men's match sharpness.

Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick, Gabriel Obertan, Rafael and Fabio are all either out or doubts for Sunday’s Wembley curtain-raiser.

“Rio is still well behind,” said Sir Alex at his first press conference of the new season at Carrington. “It’ll be a few weeks before he is back amongst us. Anderson is making good progress and he will be training in two weeks.”

Hargreaves is still in America continuing his return from tendonitis in his knees, while Carrick and Obertan are recovering from ankle injuries. “Michael’s injury is nothing serious but he’ll be out for two weeks,” added the boss.

Rafael and Fabio are doubtful for Sunday’s game against Chelsea as they have both been suffering from food poisoning.

Two players definitely earmarked to play at the weekend are Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. They both played 45 minutes against an Airtricity League XI in Dublin, and Sir Alex will give both men at least another half on Sunday.

"We'll use Sunday's game as we always do," the boss concluded, "as a mechanism to get players further down the line in terms of fitness."

Tom Cleverley start this match, please. Wanna see him in action.

knowing saf all these while i just dont think he'll do that...he likes 2 go wif his trusted 11 which some times may b crap...im also dying 2 c tom n lil pea live up 2 d expectations