Carrick out for two weeks

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick will miss the start of the season after injuring his ankle in Wednesday's friendly in Dublin.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick will miss the start of the season after injuring his ankle in Wednesday's friendly in Dublin.

The England international limped out of the 7-1 victory over the Airtricity League XI after picking up the knock during the first half and Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed the 29-year-old will be out for a fortnight.

"Michael hurt his ankle on Wednesday," said Ferguson.

"It is nothing serious but he will be out for a couple of weeks, so he will miss the start of the season."

It means Carrick will miss Sunday's Community Shield encounter with Chelsea, plus the opening Premier League game with Newcastle on August 16.

In addition Carrick will not be available for England's midweek friendly against Hungary at Wembley.

Ferguson has confirmed Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney will both feature for 45 minutes at the weekend, although a number of senior players will not be involved.

"Gabriel Obertan still has the ankle injury he picked up in the United States," said Ferguson.

"It will be a few weeks before Rio Ferdinand is back amongst us and Owen Hargreaves is still in the United States.

"Anderson is making good progress from his knee injury and he could be back training in two or three weeks."

Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio are doubtful after suffering food poisoning during the week.

Meanwhile, Ferguson has confirmed young strikers Danny Welbeck and Mame Biram Diouf are both set to go out on loan.

Although the United manager did not state where the players would go, it is believed Welbeck will go to Sunderland and Diouf to Blackburn, with their respective deals being thrashed out today.

One player not going anywhere is Tom Cleverley, who Ferguson has decided to keep at Old Trafford after an impressive pre-season campaign.