Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits some of his
squad involved at the World Cup will miss the start of the new
season.
United's World Cup contingent are not due to report back for
training until July 28, leaving them with little time to work on
their fitness ahead of their first Premier League game on August
16.
The Old Trafford outfit have travelled to Chicago for their
pre-season US tour without their World Cup players and Ferguson
concedes not all the players who represented their countries in
South Africa will be ready for the opener against Newcastle.
"Winning is part of what we have to do here," Ferguson told
Sky Sports News about their trip to America.
"But the main object is to get everyone game time and come back
ready, fit to start the season.
"Even the Community Shield does not come into the agenda in
terms of a need to win game.
"It's always been used at this club as the final part of our
preparation.
"It's on August 8 and then they have internationals during that
week, and then we have our first game the following Monday against
Newcastle.
"By that time, after we've surveyed the fitness of the ones
who've been in the World Cup because they don't come back until
July 28, we'll really know whether any or all of them should play
in the opening game.
"I have a feeling that we'll probably not play them all, but
maybe one or two will play."