LONDON (AP) — Manchester United have four new elite players — Carlos Tevez, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson — to begin the new Premier League season.

And yet, veteran United manager Alex Ferguson is set to open the defence of the league title with the same players that won the championship last season.

All four newcomers are available for tomorrow's game against Reading at Old Trafford after Tevez completed his drawn-out move from West Ham on yesterday.

But Ferguson suggested yesterday that the best they can hope for is a place on the bench.

"Nani and Anderson will be in the squad, but whether they start or not, I have my doubts," Ferguson told reporters. "They probably need a bit more training and a few games. But I'm putting them in the squad anyway.

"Owen played 60 minutes (in a friendly) against Dunfermline and he will definitely be in Sunday's squad. He probably needs another game, but we were very pleased with his contribution. He showed exactly what he'll bring to the team. There was great speed to his play and I was delighted with his contribution."

Ferguson said Tevez will probably have to wait until United's third game of the season against neighbours Manchester City on August 18.

"We know he is our player but I wouldn't use him on Sunday," the United manager said. "It would more likely be against Manchester City next weekend."

United has sold Alan Smith and Giuseppe Rossi since winning its ninth Premier League triumph, and Gary Neville and Louis Saha remain sidelined by injury. But Ferguson has Paul Scholes back and will name a formidable line-up at Old Trafford.

"What you want to see in a team that has won the league is more authority, consistency and continuity in their game," Ferguson aid. "We have noticed that in the training sessions. There is a far more stable situation now.

"We expect the young players to improve a lot, not just (Wayne) Rooney and (Cristiano) Ronaldo but Nani and Anderson as well, and we expect more from Darren Fletcher, John O'Shea, Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic. We also have the right people to call on in terms of experience, so overall I am happy with the mix."

While United has been busy in the transfer market, Reading will rely on most of the squad that did well to finish eighth last term in its very first season in the top flight.

Manager Steve Coppell, who was a winger with United until a knee injury finished his career at age 28, has signed midfielders Kalifa Cisse from Boavista and Emerse Fae from Nantes. Despite the loss of Steve Sidwell to Chelsea, Coppell hopes that the minor changes won't disrupt the line-up that impressed his team's rivals last term.

The Royals dropped very few points against the teams below them in the standings last season. Coppell's biggest problem was the lack of success against four teams near the top — Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. Despite a draw at home to Chelsea, Reading lost their other seven league matches against the traditional title contenders.

Chelsea start at home to promoted Birmingham, and Arsenal welcome Fulham on Sunday. Liverpool, who have bought virtually a whole team of new signings, including Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres, go to Aston Villa as they bid to win the title for the first time since 1990.

The 20 Premier League clubs have been able to spend huge amounts during the summer because revenue from a lucrative TV deal has kicked in.

The league's newest manager, Manchester City's Sven-Goran Eriksson, has bought eight players since he took over July 6, all of them from outside the Premier League. He hopes to blend them together in time for Saturday's visit to West Ham.

Saturday's other games are promoted Sunderland at home to Tottenham, Bolton v Newcastle, promoted Derby at home to Portsmouth, Everton v Wigan and Middlesbrough v Blackburn.