Gary Neville returns to the United squad for TottenhamÂ’s visit on Saturday.
The Reds skipper has been out of action since tweaking a calf injury against Fulham on August 20, but is now available again for selection.
Unfortunately, SpursÂ’ visit comes too soon for three of NevilleÂ’s colleagues.
Alan Smith had hoped to play a part after completing 90 minutes for the Reserves on Tuesday, but Sir Alex Ferguson quashed talk of an early comeback.
"He is not ready," he said at his weekly press conference. "It is AlanÂ’s enthusiasm that he says 'if the manger picks me he will play' of course he would.
"He would play with his leg broke in two that is the type of character we are talking about.
“Alan has a tremendous attitude. He's chipped away, he's handled the whole thing very well but he's not ready for tomorrow.”
Gabriel Heinze and Nemanja Vidic also miss out, although both players trained on Friday and should be in contention for a senior return soon.
"Vidic goes for a new plaster on Monday,” said Sir Alex. “Heinze started training today. His rehabilitation is complete, his leg is back to normal and it's a delight to see him.
He's only just come back after five weeks, I'd think in maybe two to three weeks he'll be ready. I think he should start in the Reserves beforehand.”
TottenhamÂ’s visit pits Michael Carrick against his former team, less than six weeks after swapping White Hart Lane for Old Trafford.
The Gaffer is confident that the England midfielder will hold his own against Spurs, and has been impressed by his start to life at United.
“I think anybody playing against their former team for the first time will just want to get out there,” he said.
“I thought he was tremendous in the first game of the Amsterdam Tournament against Porto. In the second game he was unfortunate to get his injury, which has knocked him back.
“In training he's been great. It's easy for him in a sense because so many English players are there, and he should be ok.”
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