Ferguson hoping for Carrick return

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Scholes will sit out the match against Villarreal at Old Trafford on September 17 after being sent off in Friday night's 2-1 UEFA Super Cup defeat to Zenit St Petersburg for deliberate handball.

Ferguson said: "Although we will miss Scholes for the first Champions League game, Michael Carrick will hopefully be fit by that time."

Zenit were good value for their win in Monaco and are aiming to test the best in the Champions League this season after winning the UEFA Cup and their domestic title.

While Ferguson was disappointed at the result against the Russians, he is confident United will be able to advance from the group stages. Celtic and the Danes of Aalborg also lie in wait.

He said: "It creates that little bit of spice because I am coming back to Glasgow. But looking at the overall group, we should be okay in terms of qualifying. We can progress."

With Carrick missing and Owen Hargreaves suffering a re-occurrence of a knee injury, United struggled to unlock Zenit on a humid night, but Ferguson was heartened by the performance of Argentina forward Carlos Tevez, who put in a hard shift.

"I thought Tevez was the outstanding player on the pitch," said the United boss. "I thought he was fantastic, our best player.

"We had the best chances throughout the match. It was an open game and both teams did very well.

"We have put a good effort in on a warm night and there were a lot of tired players at the end of it."