Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that club captain Nemanja Vidic and defender Chris Smalling will be fit for the start of the new season.

Vidic was a notable absentee for the Red Devils' second half of the season after the Serbian suffered a cruciate ligament injury in December.

Smalling contracted a groin problem ahead of England's Euro 2012 campaign, which sparked concerns that the 22-year-old would miss the start of United's season.

"Vidic will start the season, I am sure of that," said Ferguson. "Chris [Smalling] is gradually progressing and I expect him to start the season."

Meanwhile, Northern Irishman Jonny Evans is likely to be sidelined for the early stages of the 2012-13 campaign after undergoing ankle surgery.