The story of the game

With Chelsea playing Arsenal 25 hours later, the U.S. has the opportunity to return to the top of the table. A victory would leave United one thing clear, and they will hope that Arsenal could be at Stamford Bridge.

And in the Premier League, seven visits produced six defeats and one draw in their last four trips, they have lost four, conceded 10 and failed to score.

United were without Rio Ferdinand, who is currently suspended, while Owen Hargreaves, Nemanja Vidic and John O’Shea are all still missing. Portsmouth are without Michael Brown and Papa Bouba Diop, but newcomer Riccardo Rocha could begin.

Manchester United (4-3-3): Van der Sar; Fabio, Evans, Brown, Evra; Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher; Nani, Rooney, Park.

Portsmouth (4-3-3): James; Finnan, Ben-Haim, Rocha, Belhadj; Yebda, Basinas, Boateng, O’Hara; Dindane, Piquionne.
Referee: Lee Mason. Matches: 15. R4 Y41.
This season: Portsmouth 1 United 4.
Last season: United 2 Portsmouth 0, Portsmouth 0 United 1.
Stat of the game: Portsmouth have not won at Old Trafford for 53 years.
Betting tip: Goals, goals, goals: If United win 5-0 and you’ve been brave you’ll have a ticket with 11-1. Then again, a simple away win is a remarkable 22-1.