United have suffered four injury blows in defence, two in midfield and one in attack over the last couple of weeks and despite some bad news, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher, Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez are almost back in contention. Rafael and Nemanja Vidic are a different story...
Rafael Da Silva had an operation on his shoulder recently, which will keep him out of first team football beyond the next two months. A return date is yet to be affixed, after the Brazilian suffered a dislocation. Nemanja Vidic could be sidelined for the next month - or more - following a calf problem he sustained last weekend. Rio Ferdinand will return to action inside a week, after recovering from a hamstring injury. Patrice Evra is healthy again after hurting his ankle.
Darren Fletcher has played for the Reserves, and may play once more with the second string before his return from a flu. Antonio Valencia will play for the Reserves in due course, after suffering an ankle injury over the summer. Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez is back in first team training after a concussion scare this pre-season. Fletcher, Valencia and Chicharito are exceeding outlooks at Carrington, and could make comebacks by late August / early September.