It's been a gruelling four weeks on the training pitch for the majority of the squad, but Jonny Evans feels the testing regime has provided the perfect preparation for the new campaign.

A three-week tour of North America and Mexico emcompassed daily double training sessions and a handful of closely-fought matches that yielded three wins from five.

The tour squad was joined by a host of familiar faces - returning from both injury and extended summer breaks after the World Cup - for Wednesday night's 7-1 demolition of the Airtricity League XI and Evans believes the squad are in good shape ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.

"The pre-season we’ve had so far has been really good and I think everyone’s raring to go," he told MUTV. "It's been a bit strange with the World Cup lads coming back so late, but the youngsters who have trained with us have done well.

"The training sessions and fitness work the coaches have given us seem to be paying off. I think a lot of us are feeling the benefits of them now."

Also back in action in Dublin - and back among the goals - were Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia, who have both completed recoveries from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.

"It was disappointing to lose Michael when we did last season," adds Jonny. "We probably could have used him towards the end of the season with his experience, grabbing goals in games for us.

"He was starting to really settle in when he got his injury as well, so it’ll be nice to have him back, and Antonio gives us more options. So things are looking good."

Mame Biram Diouf and Joshua King will further their football education with loan deals away from Old Trafford.

Senegalese striker Diouf has completed a season-long agreement to join Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers, while Norwegian youngster King has signed up with Preston North End until mid-November.

King joins up with fellow United loanee Matty James, who is spending the entirety of 2010/11 at Deepdale, and the pair could both feature for Darren Ferguson's side today against Doncaster in the Championship.

Diouf could also go straight into action for his new side, in Blackburn's pre-season friendlies against Hearts today and Celtic on Sunday.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has also confirmed that he is aiming to take another United striker, Danny Welbeck, on loan for the entire season.

About 10,000 United fans flocked to Old Trafford on Saturday morning to watch Sir Alex's men be put through their paces ahead of Sunday's Community Shield clash at Wembley.

The Manchester United Foundation's annual open training session gives supporters a rare chance to see their heroes practice at close quarters. And this year fans packed the terraces in North Stand tier 1, raising approximately £30,000 for charity.

It was the first opportunity for locals to glimpse new signings Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling in the flesh, while returning World Cup stars, including Patrice Evra and Wayne Rooney, also took part in the 75-minute session.

Club photographers John and Matt Peters were on hand to capture the action and you can view our image gallery by clicking on the main picture above.

Training squad: Kuszczak, van der Sar; Brown, Evans, Evra, Fabio, Neville, O'Shea, Rafael, Smalling, Vidic; Carrick, Cleverley, Fletcher, Gibson, Giggs, Nani, Park, Scholes, Valencia; Berbatov, Chicharito, Macheda, Owen, Rooney

Nani is determined to help Manchester United strike the first blow of the new season against Chelsea on Sunday.

The two teams continue to step up their preparations for the 2010/11 Premier League campaign when they meet in the Community Shield at Wembley.

Carlo Ancelotti and Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking for signs of increased sharpness from their players and will hope to avoid injuries.

But there is also a trophy up for grabs and the opportunity to take a small psychological advantage into the long battle ahead.

Nani scored in the corresponding fixture last year in what turned out to be a breakthrough season for him, and he is looking forward to the game.

"People doubted my quality when I arrived from Sporting Lisbon but perhaps my performances against Chelsea have been my answer to those people - my personal revenge, if you like," the Portuguese winger told The Sun.

"Chelsea are exciting opposition for me. I've played some good matches against them and also scored in the Community Shield last season.

"So to begin the season against them again with the chance of winning a trophy is terrific.

"It's also a great chance for us to strike a blow against them so early in the season."

City handicap

Manchester City have been tipped to challenge the likes of United and Chelsea for the Premier League title after a summer of heavy spending in the transfer market, when they have brought in several high-profile names from overseas.

However, Nani doubts whether City will be able to keep pace with the leading pack early on as he knows from personal experience how difficult it is for foreign players to adjust to English football.

"I sincerely believe that foreign footballers are not a negative for the Premier League," he said.

"But I must point out that it's really not that easy to adapt to life in England. I arrived very young and had the help of Cristiano (Ronaldo), the assistant manager then Carlos Queiroz and Anderson - who joined from Porto.

"The Portuguese group was key for me but it's not same at all clubs.

"Not only was the country new but the language, the fashion and the weather conditions. I am a man with warm blood and now I'm used to the cold in the north.

"Because of all this I think that while City possess some good players they are certain to miss a few points in the first matches which will prove a big handicap in their chase for the title.

"They must unify their reinforcements quickly."

Michael Carrick has taken part in Manchester United's open training session, just a day after being ruled out for two weeks with an ankle injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson announced on Friday that the England international midfielder would miss the start of the new season after picking up the injury in United's last pre-season match against League of Ireland XI last Wednesday.

But the former West Ham and Tottenham playmaker was in attendance at Old Trafford and was moving freely in training to give the Red Devils fans encouraging news ahead of their Premier League opener against Newcastle.

The da Silva twins - who have been suffering with food poisoning - also took part in training and could be in contention to feature in Sunday's Community Shield clash against Chelsea.

No value

Ahead of Sunday's clash, Ferguson is adamant he will not dip into the transfer market for the sake of it.

The United boss has continually insisted there is no one 'exciting' him in the transfer market and is not tempted to take a plunge in the last three weeks before the window closes.

"I don't see the value in adding to our squad," said Ferguson.

"I am happy with what we already have and I don't see any reason to add to that just because people want me to buy someone.

"Supporters want you to buy players. They like to see a big signing every year. Sometimes the players like to see a big signing.

"But we have to be sensible about it. We look at our own squad and ask what do we need?

"I look at the players everyone says are available and they don't excite me."

we have match tomorrow but SAF was in the fulham stadium to watch fulham vs breman.

Our 2nd league game is against Fulham.. new manager, might want to see how they line up.

Report: Hearts 1-1 Rovers

Posted on: Sat 07 Aug 2010

SENAGALESE striker Mame Diouf, set to complete a loan move from Manchester United, scored on his debut for Rovers as Sam Allardyce's men warmed up for the new Premier League season with a draw away to Hearts.
The 22-year-old was on the mark within 15 minutes of coming on as a  second half substitute.
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But on the hour mark, new boy Diouf was on the mark as he streered a low shot in to the net from the left hand side of the box after Pedersen had touched on a cross from the right by El-Hadji Diouf.

Edit: Alien, why are you checking out Blackburn's page lol.

we have match tomorrow but SAF was in the fulham stadium to watch fulham vs breman.

adem ljajic went to fiorentina?

its bound to be associated even tho he was there just for a match.

well weill see what happens.if we do buy him im sure some one will be on the way out, with they way things are currently the most likely one is obertan.

haven't done enough to impress in the senior squad as of yet.