Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to have both Edwin van der Sar and Rafael available for his Manchester United Football Club squad in the near future.

Veteran Dutch goalkeeper van der Sar and young Brazilian fullback Rafael have missed all the action so far this season, but both are on the verge of full fitness.

“Edwin van der Sar isn't far away and he is training well now,” said Ferguson. "Young Rafael da Silva is training well too, so touch wood, we have a strong squad available now.

"Picking the right team is a problem you get with everyone fit. It's going to be a real headache for me, but it's a good one to have.”

Get all the latest news on your club. Visit 360 Football, the best football news aggregator on the web!