WHO IS AND WHO ISN'T

Nicky Butt was included in an 18-man Manchester United squad that flew out on Wednesday morning to begin their three-match, 10-day American tour.

The England midfielder will continue what looks to be a vain battle to win back a regular first-team berth, starting in the opening game of the tour against Bayern Munich in Chicago on Sunday.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to head across the Atlantic without Norwegian striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 30-year-old has suffered a worrying recurrence of a knee problem that required an operation last September and kept him out for most of season.

Solskjaer will have a scan on the problem over the next few days and, having only just brought his striking options back up to strength following the acquisitions of Louis Saha and Alan Smith, Ferguson will be desperately hoping for some good news about the man who famously won United the European Cup in 1999.

With Gary and Phil Neville, Saha, Mikael Silvestre, Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo all ruled out of the early stages of the trip because of their exertions at this summer's European Championships, it is a mixed blend of youth and experience that will represent United in the opening stage of their packed pre-season programme.

As well as established stars such as Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs, members of the talented youth team squad - Chris Eagles, David Jones and Paul McShane, plus impressive American defender Jonathan Spector were all part of the squad.

Luke Chadwick and Spanish goalkeeper Ricardo, whose long-term future are also in doubt, were part of Ferguson's squad too. However, it was the presence of a non-playing member of the United squad that attracted most attention in Terminal Two, as Rio Ferdinand, not due to return from his eight-month ban until September 20, was surrounded by a swarm of autograph hunters.

Sir Alex Ferguson said:

"Quinton Fortune is still doing remedial work, as is Liam Miller. Darren Fletcher got injured playing for Scotland, so they all miss the tour.

"Gary and Phil Neville might meet up with us on Saturday, while Louis Saha is still doing his physical tests so he may come with us [on Wednesday] or he'll join up with us on Saturday.

"Nicky Butt will travel with us, as will Eric Djemba-Djemba.”