Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident both Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick will have shaken off viruses in time to play against Birmingham City on New Year's Day.

The duo were unable to travel to London for Saturday's 2-1 defeat at West ham United because of the bug, but Ferguson sees no reason why they will not have recovered in time to play against Alex McLeish's side.

"Wayne and Michael should be OK, they were both suffering from a virus," Ferguson told United's official website.

"Michael was taken ill during the night, the doctor attended to him on Saturday morning and he just couldn't perform, there was no way he could have taken part.

"Wayne was ruled out on Friday, he went down with a virus. There's little bits going down at this time of year, quite a few clubs have got it I suppose. But hopefully they'll all be ready for Tuesday."