Fit-again Scholes ready to start for United

Paul Scholes is in line to start against Reading on Sunday because new £16million signing Owen Hargreaves has not yet fully recovered from the tendinitis problem which has plagued him throughout pre-season.

Scholes had been expected to miss the first month of the season after the 33-year-old came home early from United's Tour of Asia, but a knee arthroscopy cleared him to return and he played in Wednesday's friendly against Dunfermline.

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United coach Mike Phelan said: "Paul has worked really hard, he's came through the training and is in contention for the game."

Reading skipper Graeme Murty can't wait for the season to start.

He said: "It's a tough opening game against the champions but the players look forward to playing at Old Trafford as much as the fans.

"We know that with United's array of attacking talent we will have to be full out, but we gave United a real fright in the FA Cup last season and know that we can give them a game."

Reading manager Steve Coppell will be without Leroy Lita, who is on crutches after the striker picked up a freak hip injury in bed doing stretching exercises.

Coppell said: "I think we can probably cope whatever happens. There are very few teams that we will play against and think we can't get any type of result."

Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann has put himself back in contention for the match after recovering from a serious hand injury in the final game of last season.

Hahnemann completed another 90 minutes in Tuesday's practice match with Queens Park Rangers and has declared himself fit.

Reserve keeper Graham Stack has joined Championship side Wolves on a month's loan.