Nemanja Vidic, Chris Smalling passed fit for start of Manchester United's campaign

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that club captain Nemanja Vidic and defender Chris Smalling will be fit for the start of the new season.

Vidic was a notable absentee for the Red Devils' second half of the season after the Serbian suffered a cruciate ligament injury in December.

Smalling contracted a groin problem ahead of England's Euro 2012 campaign, which sparked concerns that the 22-year-old would miss the start of United's season.

"Vidic will start the season, I am sure of that," said Ferguson. "Chris [Smalling] is gradually progressing and I expect him to start the season."

Meanwhile, Northern Irishman Jonny Evans is likely to be sidelined for the early stages of the 2012-13 campaign after undergoing ankle surgery.