Ferguson has said that he expects Michael Owen to be playing again in six weeks time. Ferguson acknowledged that Michael Owen will miss the start of the season as well, but revealed that Gary Neville will be ready for the Premier League curtain-raiser.

“I would think Michael Owen will be back playing in six weeks, but Gary Neville is training now after his calf injury and he started football training on Friday. They'll both watch the game from the Man Utd Hospitality lounge.

“Michael Owen is behind in that although he's doing terrific work. I'm not sure Michael will make the start of the season but he won't be far away. Gary will make the start.”

Micheal Owen's plans for returning to the Manchester United starting line-up have taken a setback as Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is not too sure about the fitness of defender Rio Ferdinand and striker Michael Owen ahead of the 2010/11 Barclays Premier League season.

The Red Devils boss and his playing group will leave for the USA on Monday for their pre-season tour and he said that both Ferdinand and Owen were unknown quantities at this stage.

“Rio will probably not make the start of the season," he told MUTV. "It will be close. It depends on his progress over the next few weeks.

"Michael Owen is doing great. He is working in the gym every day," he said. "I do not think he will be fit to go to America but he should be ready for the start of the season."

Michael Owen feels that Jonny Evans will be a main player of the Manchester United defence for years to come. United striker Owen, battling to be fit for the new season, sees the Northern Ireland defender as the obvious choice to eventually succeed Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic.

Jonny Evans has been steadily establishing himself at Old Trafford since making his debut less than three years ago.

“Jonny is the future of Manchester United. Obviously Rio is in his 30s now and has a good few years left but Jonny has the potential to be every bit as good and commanding as Rio,” stated Owen. “Jonny could play a full season at United and not look out of place but if he keeps improving he can be one of the key players at United for years to come.

“Jonny’s a very good player who has come up through the ranks and has been held in high regard his whole career. Ferdinand and Vidic are obviously top class centre halves so it says a lot for Jonny that he comes in when one of those guys is out and does so well.

“Last season we had quite a lot of injuries at centre half — we even played Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher there,” he added.

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Manchester United forward Michael Owen is reportedly having secret training sessions as he attempts to prove his fitness, according to the News of the World.

The former Liverpool striker could be attempting to secure his future at the club in front of boss Sir Alex Ferguson after being ruled out for the rest of season in February.

The 30-year-old underwent surgery on his hamstring after making 19 appearances for United, scoring nine goals.

According to the tabloid, Owen has been spotted at United’s Carrington training centre several times in recent weeks.

Owen is understood to be running again and has been given ball work as well as a weight training programme to follow.

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A potentially formidable partnership of Michael Owen and Andrew Black got off to a flying start with Blue Jack at Newbury.

The Manchester United striker jointly owns around 12 horses with Betfair founder Black at Manor House Stables in Cheshire, where Tom Dascombe has been installed to train.

Blue Jack, bought from William Muir, was the first to carry the team's turquoise silks and after being backed into 10-1 for the Dubai Duty Free Double Millionaire Handicap, he produced a powerful finishing kick to pull clear of 7-2 favourite Elnawin.

Dascombe's assistant, Colin Gorman, said: "We are delighted with that as it is the first runner and first winner in the colours. It is also the first turf winner for Manor House Stables. He has been working well and could go to Chester, which will hopefully be our Royal Ascot."

England manager Fabio Capello has described Michael Owen as his "tormentor".

The Italian has continued to leave the Manchester United striker out of his England squads even though the 29-year-old has scored 40 goals for his country, more than any of his rivals.

Capello compared his situation to that of Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who has been criticised for overlooking Sampdoria forward Antonio Cassano. Speaking at a seminar based at Coverciano titled 'Football And Those Who Discuss It', he said: "Cassano? I have Owen. I already have a tormentor, each one has their own."

Owen, who missed the recent World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus through injury, has not played for England since early last year and his chances of making it to the World Cup in South Africa look slim.

Capello also ruled out succeeding Lippi in charge of Italy, but admitted a return to Serie A giants Juventus at some point in the future could not be ruled out.

He added: "Coach of the Italian national team? No, never.

"A return to Juventus? You can never say never, in football anything can happy."

Manchester United striker Michael Owen is set to return to full training having missed Saturday's match against Sunderland with a groin injury.

Owen came off with the problem during Wednesday's game against Wolfsburg and it was initially feared he would be sidelined for three weeks.

"I'm back in training from Tuesday," the 29-year-old told At The Races.

"A few years ago I would have carried on playing. If I'd continued then I think I'd have pulled my groin."

Michael Owen's World Cup dream has suffered a major setback after Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed the striker would be out for "two to three weeks" with a groin injury.

It ends any lingering hope Owen had of being involved in England's final two qualifiers against the Ukraine and Belarus next month, and there must now be a huge question mark over the 29-year-old forward's ability to force his way into England boss Fabio Capello's plans before England head to South Africa next summer.

"Michael felt a slight groin injury after training on Sunday," revealed Ferguson. "He thought he was fine to play but on a wet surface, when he tried to turn quickly, it came back again. It is not a serious one and I am not worried because players do get them, but he will be out for two to three weeks."

He added: "The only good part is that his fitness levels are very good."