Vidic missed the start of United's pre-season tour of the Far East

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic will miss the start of the new season after being ruled out for up to two weeks with a calf injury.

The 27-year-old Serb joins Gary Neville, Wes Brown and goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar on the sidelines.

"Vidic is another week or two away and Edwin's injury is a bad one," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He is out for 8-10 weeks, of course. So my first selection dilemma for Sunday is in goal."

Vidic will miss Sunday's Community Shield against Chelsea and also United's Premier League opener at home to newly-promoted Birmingham on Sunday, 16 August.

He could also miss his side's trip to Burnley on Wednesday, 19 August.

Fellow defender Neville will also sit out Sunday's match against Chelsea as he is struggling with a groin injury, but Ferguson says he expects Brown, who missed the majority of last season with a foot injury, to be fit for the start of their Premier League campaign.

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"Neither Wes or Nemanja have long-term injuries. I would expect Wes to be fit for the game a week on Sunday," said Ferguson.

"As for Vidic, he pulled his calf in the warm-up in Munich (against Bayern Munich) and is two weeks away.

"Gary is doing a little bit of training and coming on fine but I do not think he will make Sunday."

With goalkeeper Van der Sar out for up to 10 weeks with broken fingers, Ferguson has to choose between Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak against Chelsea.

Both played a half in the 2-0 friendly win against Valencia in midweek.

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