United hit by injuries ahead of Community Shield

Manchester United will begin its 2009/2010 football season with a packed casualty list, as the Premier League reigning champions kick-start the new season with a match against arch-rivals, Chelsea, in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

Manchester United learnt on Thursday that Serb defender, Nemanja Vidic, will be forced to sit out Sunday’s match with a calf injury. Nemanja joins Wes Brown, veteran Gary Neville and first choice ‘keeper Edwin van Der Saar on the sidelines.

“Vidic is another week or two away and Edwin’s injury is a bad one,” Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, told the BBC. “He’s out for 8-10 weeks, of course. So my first selection dilemma for Sunday is in goal.”

Ferguson have to draw on the skills of either Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak in the goal, with both having played in a midweek game against Valencia.

Manchester United’s match against Chelsea this weekend will serve as a tune-up for the forthcoming Premier League season, with hostilities set to commence next weekend.

Find the top prices and a full selection of markets for this weekend’s Community Shield on our odds comparison channel. Keep in mind that Boylesports and Paddy Power are both offering money back specials for best on the match.