Manchester United 3 - 0 Portsmouth
Saturday 4th November 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester
Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated 20 years in charge of Manchester United last weekend, and his players were keen to make sure that the smile remained on his face for as long as possible!
Before the match, Fergie refused to be presented with a trophy to commemorate his many years - preferring to get his team ready for battle instead. And United came flying out of the blocks.
With Heinze still injured, Patrice Evra was on the left, joined by Ferdinand, Vidic and Neville, whilst Giggs, Carrick, Scholes and Ronaldo made up a four man midfield just behind Saha and Rooney.
It was Carrick and Rooney who linked up first, with Michael sending a great throughball Wayne's way. Rooney controlled and charged into the box only to be upended, and it was a penalty for United just 3 minutes in.
Saha duly converted the penalty, and it was game over for Portsmouth just 7 minutes later, when Cristiano Ronaldo slammed home a direct free-kick with no chance for keeper David James.
The Reds could have had more but seemed content to pass the ball around, safe in the knowledge that Portsmouth wouldn't be scoring any goals!
The game was wrapped up on 66 minutes when Nemanja Vidic leapt at the back post and heaaded home.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo (Fletcher 75), Carrick (Silvestre 71), Scholes, Giggs, Rooney (O'Shea 75), Saha.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Brown.
Goals: Saha 3 pen, Ronaldo 10, Vidic 66.
Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, O'Brien, Stefanovic, Taylor, Pedro Mendes, Davis, Kranjcar (Hughes 84), Fernandes (Cole 46), O'Neil, Mwaruwari (LuaLua 66).
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Kanu.
Booked: Davis.
Att: 76,004
Ref: M Dean (Wirral).
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