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Rooney fit for season opener



Wayne Rooney has shaken off the effects of a virus and could start against Newcastle on Sunday at Old Trafford.

The striker fell ill during the club's pre-season visit to Nigeria at the end of last month and it was feared that Sunday's big kick-off would come too soon for the 22-year-old. But after a solid week's training, Rooney is fit and ready to take on the Magpies.

“Wayne Rooney is fit and he will play on Sunday, which is good news for us," Sir Alex said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"He’s trained all week and has done very well. He even trained last Sunday on the morning of the Community Shield. From then on he has been progressing really well."

Rooney's return is a major boost for United, who are already without Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha in attacking positions, and midfielders Owen Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani and Ji-sung Park.

“Nani is suspended so he is out," added the boss. "And Hargreaves, Ronaldo, Park and Saha are all still injured and Anderson is at the Olympics. So in terms of attacking options, we're down to the bare bones."

However, Sir Alex feels his squad still has the strength to overcome Kevin Keegan's men at Old Trafford on Sunday. “The backbone will be the midfielders and defenders we have available," he said. "We have a good variety there.

"Hopefully that’s enough to get us over this first hurdle against Newcastle, which is always a good, exciting game. Newcastle always come and have a go, so it should be an open type of match."
Brazilian twins stay modest

Rafael and Fabio da Silva have caused a stir with their pre-season displays, but the Brazilian twins are remaining modest ahead of their first season at United.

Rafael starred against Peterborough and Juventus, with Sir Alex Ferguson eulogising over his performances, while Fabio notched 45 minutes at London Road and also scored a stunning goal in the Reserves' win over Northwich Victoria. Neither twin had played a full match in a year, but they were keen to play down their scintillating start to life at United.

“I didn’t expect to play 90 minutes in the first game, so it was a good experience,” Rafael told ManUtd.com. “I was happy with my performance because my last game was a year ago, and then the second game against Juventus was also good – but I want to show much more than that and prove myself."

Having watched Rafael's eye-catching performance at London Road, Fabio insists that he felt no pressure to perform when he joined the fray as a second half substitute.

"Of course not," he said. "I was very happy with Rafael’s performance and very proud of the way he played, but I was only thinking about going onto the pitch and doing
my best for the team and for myself.

"It's difficult to get the same tempo when you've not played for a year. I think we did ok, but there is still much more we want to do. We want to work hard. It's good to play again."
Sir Alex: I've no complaints



Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he “can’t have too many complaints” after United began the season with a frustrating draw at home to Newcastle.

The Reds were missing eight first-team players as Kevin Keegan’s men stifled the Reds into an opening weekend stalemate at Old Trafford.

“I can’t have too many complaints,” Sir Alex told Sky Sports after the game. “It’s not the result we wanted. But given the changes I had to make, it’s credible. We were the better team in terms of possession and pressure, but we didn’t make it count in the second half.”

United began brightly enough, but Newcastle managed to take the lead in one of their rare genuine attempts on goal when the unmarked Obafemi Martins scored with a header on 22 minutes. Darren Fletcher’s reply came two minutes later, but the Reds couldn’t build on the Scot's equaliser.

“In the first half we played well,” added the boss. “[Shay Given] was fortunate when Fraizer Campbell’s header hit him on the head. He made three or four good saves, actually. They took the lead, but when we got the equaliser straight away I thought that would have sent us on our way.”

In the second half, however, United’s attacking intent was blunted following injuries to Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs. Sir Alex said: “Our attacking play was good in the first half. But in the second half, having lost Michael and then Ryan to injury, we lost a bit of experience at a vital moment in the game.

“Without the proper balance to the team in terms of width, it was a struggle in the second half for us. We couldn’t break them down, although we hit the bar through Vidic, but nothing too dangerous.”
Carrick out for two weeks



Michael Carrick will miss the next two weeks of the season after picking up an ankle injury in the 1-1 draw against Newcastle.

The midfielder, who will also sit out England's friendly with the Czech Republic on Wednesday, sustained the injury in the first half and was replaced by John O'Shea.

Ryan Giggs, one of United's most penetrative players on a frustrating opening day against the Magpies, was also forced off in the second half.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports: "Carrick has an ankle injury. It’s swollen up quite badly and he will be out for about two weeks.

"Ryan has a hamstring injury. It was disappointing to get those injuries on top of the injuries we had anyway."

United went into the game without Carlos Tevez, who is back in Argentina after a family bereavement, while Fraizer Campbell did not complete 90 minutes and Wayne Rooney looked less than 100% fit after his recent virus.

Ferguson added: "Tevez will be back next week and available for the Portsmouth match, and Rooney will be much sharper having played this game.

"I thought in the second half it started to go for him. Unfortunately Fraizer Campbell picked up a knock and he had to come off as well."
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