Ahead of Manchester United's European Super Cup clash with Zenit St Petersburg Friday, midfielder Darren Fletcher has warned that Russian sides could soon be challenging English dominance in the Champions League.

The annual fixture between the Champions League winners and the UEFA Cup champions is generally disregarded by English sides, but Fletcher thinks the game in Monaco could serve as a valuable taste of the future.

"Zenit St Petersburg will fancy themselves to do really well in the Champions League this season," said Fletcher.

"They beat some top teams in the UEFA Cup last season so they are no mugs.

"There is also a lot of money in the Russian game. There are plenty of Brazilian players over there and people generally don't realise how strong a league it is.

"A lot of teams struggle when they go out to Russia, so that gives them a big advantage as well."

Zenit's success in the UEFA Cup, followed on from their league success last season, but, one Russian Cup aside, you have to go back to 1984 at the Soviet title for their previous silverware.

They are a club still hungry for success, although they will be hampered by the rib injury that will rule out attacking right-back Alexander Anyukov.

Playmaker Andrei Arshavin's availability remains in doubt with strong suggestions in Russia that he is poised for a move before the transfer window closes next Monday, possibly to the Premier League.

Zenit will, though, have available their new record signing, the Portuguese midfielder Danny, who joined for 30 million euros (44.35 million dollars).

For United, midfielder Owen Hargreaves could make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a knee injury.

"I've got a big season ahead - with United and England - and I want to be fit," he told the club's website.

"Hopefully I'll be back soon and fit for the remainder of the season. Monaco is a possibility, we'll just see how training goes. I'm improving every day, so hopefully I'll be back soon.

"I've felt it on and off for 16 months. Sometimes more, sometimes less - it's something I've had to cope with.

"The staff and I have worked very hard so that I'm fit and when I play I don't miss out. They've done a really good job. I think we've got it under control."