United have been boosted by the news that long term injury trio Gary Neville, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should all be back in training next month.

Neville has been out of action since 17 March will an ankle problem, while the two strikers have both undergone knee surgery over the summer.

Although absent from United's four-game Asia tour, Sir Alex has hinted that the trio could yet feature in United's domestic pre-season programme on their return from the Far East.

"Gary Neville will be joining in training with us when we get back, I am confident about that," confirmed the Reds' boss. "Same with Ole, if not, definitely the week afterwards.

"Louis Saha is looking at the middle of August, so the situation is not so bad.

"We've got quite a hectic spell [of games] when we return to the UK, but those later matches will be great for the likes of Gary, Ole, possibly Louis and Anderson who will all need games. That period will be of great benefit for us.

"The big disappointments are Ji-sung Park [out until December or January] and Ben Foster, who is out until March. His injury was a surprising one - he did his cruciate in his last game for Watford. But hopefully with the squad we have this season we will be able to cope.

"We've brought the new players in and the young lads who went out on loan last season are back with us as well. We're pleased about that because they all did very well during their spells away. That all adds to the strength of the group."