Sir Alex Ferguson believes Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling will have overcome their respective injury problems in time for the first game of the Premier League season.
Manchester United travel to Everton on 20th August for their season opener and are 5/6 with bookmaker to make a flying start and return from Goodison Park with three points.
Vidic and Smalling could both feature in that game after Ferguson revealed he expects both defenders to be fit for the start of the season.
Vidic has been out since December after rupturing his cruciate ligament, while Smalling underwent surgery to correct a groin tear during the summer.
“Vidic will start the season, I am sure of that,” said Ferguson. “Chris Smalling has done a bit of training.
“The ruptured groin muscle he had certainly needed a lot of attention. He is gradually progressing and I expect him to start the season.”