Sir Alex has striker concern

Sir Alex Ferguson has conceded that he is concerned by United's dearth of fit and available strikers.

Currently, Carlos Tevez is the Reds' only established striker. Wayne Rooney has been laid low with a virus and Louis Saha is yet to play a part in pre-season for United.

In the last four pre-season matches Sir Alex has used Carlos Tevez with either Ryan Giggs or Fraizer Campbell up front.

Campbell has shown plenty of promise this summer, and indeed last season on loan at Hull City, while Ryan Giggs has experience playing the forward role. But the situation up front remains far from ideal.

"It is a concern," the boss said. "Wayne will probably miss the start of the season and Louis Saha’s future is undecided at the moment. It's left us a little short up front."

United failed to score against Juventus on Wednesday, but the Reds have scored 13 goals in eight games in pre-season and Sir Alex remains confident that the goals will come when the title defence kicks off against Newcastle on Sunday 17 August.

He said: "I’m sure we’ll find the goals at the start of the season though - our play is good enough."