Manchester United v Portsmouth : Match Report

Wednesday’s match was viewed in the sense anything apart from a loss would be a bonus. Some would say because of that attitude, we lost too easily.

In truth, the score line flatters Pompey. If Manchester United had been slightly more clinical with their finishing, the Blues could have lost by 4-0 or more.

However United’s lack of finishing wasn’t the only element that stopped them from scoring any further. It has to be said that the Portsmouth defence did play surprisingly well at times, including England number one, David James.

The Red Devils opened the scoring within the first ten minutes of the game, sending panic into the hearts and minds of the Fratton faithful. Wayne Rooney, recalled from injury, easily converted from Ryan Giggs’ cross after nine minutes with a simple finish.

Substitute Michael Carrick doubled the Champions’ lead late on, firing a devastating strike past the stretching arms of David James, eight minutes from time.

Dutch ‘keeper Edwin Van Der Sar was rarely troubled in the game, allowing United to constantly attack and pile on pressure to the Blues’ defence.

Welsh legend Ryan Giggs was involved in many of the attacks, coming close on three occasions to collect only his second league goal of the season.

‘Giggsy’ was denied twice by David James and missed a golden opportunity when sent through by Portuguese winger Ronaldo.  However much the Red Devils dominated however, their lead still remained only by a solitary goal.

After some would say, ‘suffering embarrassment’ at the hands of Everton on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final, Sir Alex Ferguson made nine changes for the visit of Portsmouth.

One of the most crucial changes was the return of Wayne Rooney, who provided the attacking threat that perhaps the Red Devils had previously missed against the Toffees.

Rooney made an instant impact in the game, putting them ahead after only nine minutes. The move was started by Brazilian midfielder Anderson, who cleverly found Ryan Giggs on the left hand side. The Welsh wizard then provided an accurate cross into the path of Rooney, only for him to tap home from a few yards out.

The only thing the Pompey players could do, was to helplessly appeal for an offside decision.

It came as a blow to the travelling Portsmouth side, who previously had started the brighter of the two sides, with Nadir Belhadj getting in a good position, before firing yards over.

With Portsmouth’s confidence deflated, United took the opportunities to try and double their lead. Irish international John O’Shea went close, having his header cleared off the line by Algerian Nadir Belhadj.

United then split the Pompey defence further, with Wayne Rooney sending United legend Ryan Giggs into open space with the simple task of finishing. David James had something to say about this however, managing to keep the shot out.

Giggs then had another opportunity to extend the lead after being sent through by Ronaldo. However the usually composed Welshman ended up missing wide from six yards out.

As said previously, Pompey offered little in attack. Manager Paul Hart did make an effort to change the system at half time, replacing former Preston man David Nugent with on-loan Liverpool winger, Jermaine Pennant.

During the early stages of the second half, Giggs was sent clear once again, this time set up by the Manchester maestro, Wayne Rooney. However David James was aware enough to come off his line and make the ball his own.

Pompey produced a well-improved performance in the second half and even went close to equalising on several occasions. England international Glen Johnson troubled the United defence by breaking free into the area, forcing Van Der Sar to push away his low cross/shot to safety.

Nugent’s replacement, Jermaine Pennant was then said to waste a good opportunity when found unmarked in the area. Whilst having the opportunity to shoot, the winger instead provided a weak cross to Peter Crouch, who volleyed miserably wide.

Pennant however did provide a far more effective cross minutes later however from a free-kick. Peter Crouch connected but saw his header comfortably saved by Dutch ‘keeper Van Der Sar.

After a sense of anxiety for the United fans, Rooney took the opportunity to try and raise momentum and morale. The England striker raced clear from the Blues’ defence, only for James once again to deny the United attack.

Then came the inspired substitution for United. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson replaced Anderson for former Pompey target Michael Carrick.

Carrick sealed the three points with a well taken strike with eight minutes left. Paul Scholes, making his 600^th club appearance, slid a defence splitting pass into the path of Carrick, who then shot deep into the corner of David James’ net.

Pompey can take ‘Hart’ in the fact that the score was respectable. I personally would have been disappointed if we were to have conceded five goals. We also showed signs of good passing and at times even threatened the United defence.

If we can perhaps provide a more attacking threat and become more clinical in our finishing, then survival could be assured on Monday evening at St. James Park,

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