|
|
Portsmouth v Man Utd
Venue: Fratton Park Date: Monday, 25 August Kick-off: 2000 BST
Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez is available after a family bereavement kept him out of the draw with Newcastle on the opening day of the season.
Anderson will be back from the Olympics but may not be rushed into action, while John O'Shea may deputise for Michael Carrick, and Nani is banned.
Portsmouth midfielder Niko Kranjcar is a major doubt after picking up an injury playing for Croatia.
But Lassana Diarra has recovered from a knee injury suffered against Chelsea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Brown, Neville, R Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra, F Da Silva, Fletcher, O'Shea, Scholes, Possebon, Gibson, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Campbell, Welbeck.
Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hrei**son, Utaka, Diop, Diarra, Kranjcar, Little, Defoe, Crouch, Kaboul, Thomas, A Traore, Sahar, Lauren, Mvuemba, Davis, Hughes, Ashdown.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp:
"I always look forward to these games and we have a tremendous record against United at Fratton Park.
"Last season we did not lose at home to any of the big four. The key is to match their work-rate
"Sure, it looks a really big test for us now but I think we are still a very good team at home and we will take some beating. United won't relish coming here. They never do."
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher:
"It might work to my advantage that so many players are out of the team.
"We have a lot of players out just now - and when we are short of numbers, you need to take your opportunities.
"There is so much quality in the squad we all know if you do not perform the manager will have you straight out of the team.
"But, as we have seen plenty of times before, the manager will stick by you if you do the job he needs." |
|
Post time 22-8-2008 12:16 PM
