Nemanja Vidic will miss the start of the Premier League season, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said today.

The Serbian centre-back has been ruled out of the Community Shield showpiece against Chelsea on Sunday and the following game with Birmingham City because of a calf injury.

Wes Brown is also sidelined this weekend with a thigh problem but is expected back for the opening league match, while Gary Neville is unavailable because of a groin strain. "Neither Wes or Nemanja have long-term injuries," Ferguson explained.

"I would expect Wes to be fit for the game a week on Sunday. 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 Edwin van der Sar out for up to ten weeks with broken fingers, Ferguson has to choose between Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak against Chelsea. Both played a half in the game against Valencia in midweek.

"We have a selection dilemma as to who plays in goal on Sunday. It is not an easy one for me," said Ferguson.