London, Aug.6 : Nine Manchester United players are set to miss the start of the English football season because of injury.

Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are down with a virus, while Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji Sung also have different types of injury. Louis Saha has been out since March and Gary Neville has calf problems, The Sun reported.

"You worry about having a team ready for the start of the season. The league season starts in 12 days' time," the tabloid quoted coach Alex Ferguson, as saying.

Midfield men Hargreaves and Park have ruled out for the opening fortnight at least. Winger Nani is suspended for the first two Premier League games against Newcastle and Portsmouth, while Brazilian midfielder Anderson is playing at the Olympics. Star player Ronaldo is out until at least October as he recovers from an ankle operation.

ANI