After declaring that he would miss the start of the season, Manchester United have now said that Wayne Rooney could return in time for the start of Manchester United's Premier League campaign on 17 August after recovering from a virus.

Rooney picked up the mystery illness on United's tour of Nigeria and returned to training on Friday.

Sir Alex Ferguson said, "We've got a big job to do to get Rooney ready. With seven or eight days training we might make it. He is doing much better, the medical reports are good and we feel that he's clear of the virus."

Rooney will definitely miss Sunday's Community Shield match against Portsmouth.

Midfielder Michael Carrick, who was suffering from the same unnamed illness, is set to feature in the Wembley fixture.

With Anderson at the Olympics, nani suspended and Ronaldo injured, it would be a welcome boost for United if Rooney was able to recover in time to play in the first league game.