United World Cup stars set to miss season opener-espn
Sir Alex Ferguson admits the majority of Manchester United's World Cup stars are unlikely to feature in the club's Premier League opener against Newcastle next month.
Wayne Rooney is unlikely to feature against Newcastle on the opening day
England duo Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, France and South Korea captainsPatrice Evra and Park Ji-Sung, Serbia defender Nemanja Vidic and new signingJavier Hernandez of Mexico were United's six representatives in South Africa.
Rio Ferdinand is hopeful of being fit for the start of the season after injury prevented him captaining England, while Nani was in the squad which flew out for a pre-season tour of America after being ruled out of Portugal's campaign.
Owen Hargreaves' long-term knee troubles meant he never entered Fabio Capello's thoughts and a fresh setback will see him miss the resumption.
With regards to those who did play, though, Ferguson will bide his time over assessing them ahead of the Magpies test.
United jetted off without any of the sextet for their pre-season tour of America, although Hernandez will link up with the squad on July 27 in time to face his former club Guadalajara three days later.
After a training camp in Chicago, United will take on Celtic, Philadelphia Union, Kansas City Wizards and the MLS All-Stars before the Chivas clash and the Community Shield against double-winners Chelsea.
"Even the (Community) Shield does not come onto the agenda as a need-to-win game, it's being used as the final part of preparation," Ferguson said.
"That's on the 8th of August, then there are internationals during that week, and we have the first game the following Monday against Newcastle.
"In that time, after we've surveyed the fitness of the ones who've been at the World Cup because they don't come back until the 28th of July, we'll really know if any of them or all of them should play in the opening game
"I have the feeling we'll probably not play them all but maybe one or two will play in it.''
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