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65′
That was close. Rooney crosses from the left and it looks to be heading towards Fletcher's run at the far post but Wilson just about gets his head to it to clear.
90′ +3
FULLTIME. Its all over. Relief for Pompey as the ref blows his whistle. At fulltime its Manchester United 5 Portsmouth 0
90′ +2
Lovely slick passing sees Owen and Neville exchange passes and Owen is in but his cross is poor and its cleared quite easily.
90′ +1
Into 3 minutes extra time and Owen is nearly played in. He tries to chase but its just slightly long.
89′
They're still looking dangerous. Diouf is played in brilliantly behind the defence on the left and he tries to cross but its cleared for a corner. The corner is swung in again and Pompey hold on.
87′
The game has died down now.United looking to attack on the break for a change while Pompey are still chasing the ball. Not long left now.
84′
United still looking to add to their goals tally. Pompey are just waiting for the final whistle so that they can forget a horrible day. A hat trick of own goals and they have been battered.
82′
Diouf is booked for a late challenge. He's still thinking about his miss. Less than ten minutes left for Pompey to hang on.
81′
Chance!!!! Owen plays in Diouf who does well to beat the defender and finds himself one on one with James - and blazes over!!!! He really should have scored.
77′
Boateng is the 4th Pompey player to be booked for a foul on Carrick. They play the free kick long and Valencia crosses from the right but its cleared for a corner. From the corner, there is chaos in the box as Valencia gets the ball but is crowded out. It falls kindly for James in the end.
76′
CLOSE!!! United attack yet again and after some slick passing Gibson is teed up and he lets loose a shot which James does well to save!!!
74′
This is turning into attack vs defence. Pompey are struggling to break out and United are looking to score at every oppurtunity. Pompey make a change as O'Hara comes off for Yebda.
72′
United still lokking for more. Valencia charges down from the right and plays in Diouf who turns and crosses and it takes a diving Wilson to clear the lines for Pompey
69′
Own Goal Marc Wilson
69′
GOAL!!!! This is getting worse for the visitors. Evra has space on the left and he swings in a cross which Nani cannot get to and Wilson puts into his own net under pressure form Diouf!!! James cannot believe it as he sees the 2nd own goal of the game.
67′
A host of subs. United make a triple change as Rooney, Berbatov and Fletcher are replaced by Gibson, Owen and Diouf.
66′
Substitution 
Darren Fletcher 
Darron Gibson
Darren Fletcher Darron Gibson 
66′
Substitution 
Wayne Rooney Mame Biram Diouf
Wayne Rooney Mame Biram Diouf
66′
Substitution Dimitar Berbatov Michael Owen
Dimitar Berbatov Michael Owen
64′
United fans singing all around Old Trafford. Portsmouth still looking to attack though as Piquonnie tries his luck from the left after cutting in but sees his shot hit the side netting.
62′
Goal Dimitar Berbatov
61′
GOAL!!!! United are 4 up now. Berbatov receives a ball and heads off through the left channel but is blocked off by the defence. He turns back and works the ball to his right foot before curling it past a diving James!!! Pompey had no clue about that one and this is turning into a miserable afternoon for the visitors.
61′
Substitution Anthony Vanden Borre Kevin-Prince Boateng
Anthony Vanden Borre Kevin-Prince Boateng
59′
Own Goal Richard Hughes
57′
GOAL!!!!! Game over surely? United play in from the right and Neville tries to play in Rooney who tries to find Berbatov. Instead it falls for Carrick who takes a touch and shoots with his left - and his shot takes a wicked deflection off Mullins and loops over James before cliipping the bar and going in!!!! Pompey unlucky again.
56′
SO CLOSE!!!! Valencia plays a pass to Berbatov and continues his run. Berbatov just flicks up the ball over the defence and Valencia takes a touch before shooting - straight at a diving James who was out quickly to smother the shot!!!! That was some amazing keeping and Valencia should have scored.
55′
Webber's causing trouble at the back. In a rare attack, he turns Evans quite beautifully and goes to the line before crossing but no one attacekd it.
52′
Webber goes on a mazy run and nearly gets past all the defenders in the box before Evra can flick it off him. Portsmouth are looking to attack on the break even in the second half.
51′
United attack again and Carrick finds Nani on the left who takes his time and whips in a cross which no one attacks and James catches it easily.
49′
Chance!!! Nani breaks down the left and plays in Berbatov who goes down to the touchline and passes back to Nani, who shapes to shoot - but its way over!
48′
Pompey have a free kick near the center and O'Hara swings it in from the left. But there's too much on it and it swings out.
47′
The second half kicks off much in the same way as the first. United looking to attack from the word go.
46′
And we're off!!! Pompey kick off the second half trailing by 2 goals.
45′ +2
HALFTIME. The ref blows for halftime. United go off to Old Trafford resounding with cheers of Rooney Rooney, 2 goals up at the break. Portsmouth have been unlucky to concede the 2nd goal and will look to regroup at the break. At halftime, its Manchester United 2 Portsmouth 0
45′ +1
Into extra time and Portsmout have claims for a penalty as O'Hara's cross is headed on at Evra who seems to have his arms raised. Lee Mason however is not interested and plays on.
45′ +1
Own Goal Anthony Vanden Borre
44′
GOAL!!!!! And United are 2 up!!!!! Heartbreak for Pompey as Nani dances down the left and unleashes a couple of stepovers before trying a cross that takes a wicked deflection off Borre and beats James, crawling in at the near post!!! That was unlucky and Borre's reaction says it all. United are 2 up and seem to be cruising.
43′
Pompey look to have found their feet once again as they try and regroup but the pressure is unrelenting. Valencia breaks down the right and races down and Roches has to struggle to clear for a corner. The corner is swung in and headed out to Carrick on the edge of the box but his snap shot is wide.
40′
GOAL!!!! And United lead!!!! They get a corner which is played short to Fletcher who swings in an inviting cross for an unmarked Rooney to head in his 23rd goal of the season!!!! So close to halftime but Portsmouth cannot complain it hasn't been coming.
40′
Goal Wayne Rooney
39′
Portsmouth have a rare free kick on the center line as Rooney is penalised for a foul. They swing it towards the box but it comes to nothing as it bounces out of play.
37′
Pompey pick up their third booking as Ben Haim goes into the book for obstructing Rooney. United come close again as Rooney again chips it over the top for Fletcher but again its too heavy.
36′
Yellow Card Tal Ben Haim
35′
CLOSE!!!! United can't believe it. They go up the other end and Valencia plays in Neville who goes down to the touchline and pulls it back for Berbatov at the near post who flicks his shot - which goes wide!!!!!
34′
OOHHH SO CLOSE!!!!! Portsmouth nearly stun the champions in a counter attack. They switch it well from the right to the left and Belhadj lets loose a shot that has VDS beaten but Evans gets back just in time to clear it off the line!!!!! That was going in and United look shocked.
32′
Pompey get the ball and are quite content in passing it around. As I say it, United steal it back and Nani plays it to Rooney on the edge of the box who is unmarked. He turns and shoots - but its way wide.
30′
Free kick for United as Wilson barges into the back of Berbatov right on the edge of the box. Nani takes it and loops it to the far post where Fletcher's lurking but Rocha clears for a corner. The corner is cleared though.
29′
Yellow Card Jamie O'Hara
28′
Stoppage in play as a foul is awarded for O'Hara's lunge at Brown. Brown seems to be in pain as he writhes on the ground and O'Hara is booked for that tackle.
26′
The camera pans to Avram Grant barking instructions from the touchline. Evra's turn this time to run at the defence and he gets as far as the box before his shot deflects off and loops up to James.
24′
Yellow Card Danny Webber
24′
We have our first booking as Danny Webber goes in late on Evans and is promptly booked for his efforts. Meanwhile United continue pressing as Rooney nearly turns provider this time, chipping over the defence for Fletcher to run on to but its too heavy and James is out quickly to collect.
22′
Rio Ferdinand, the new England captain, watches from the stands as United look to break the deadlock. Rooney bulldoses his way through the center of the defence and strides into the box before trying to play in Berbatov, but a last ditch tackle fetches him a corner. The corner is played short and Pompey clear.
20′
United are not easing up on the pressure. They're playing out to the flanks at every oppurtunity and trying to swing in crosses. So far though, Pompey have held firm. The crowd is building up in anticipation with every passing attack.
17′
OOHHH!!! That was scary!!! Piquonnie is nearly played on through and VDS comes charging out near the touchline in a desperate sliding tackle to clear the ball for a throw. Had he missed that, he would have been off.
16′
Back to the same story. United swinging in the crosses from the flanks and Pompey clearing their lines. They're looking to play on the break but United keep getting back. Nani cuts in from the left in such an attack and lets fly but it flies wide.
14′
Chance!!! Portsmouth respond immediately. They attack down the other end and Borre sees his low drive puched away for a corner by Van Der Saar!!!! The corner is half cleared and Belhadj has another go from just outside the box and this time VDS collects. Portsmouth have woken up.
12′
Close!!!! That was the first major let off for Portsmouth. United play a corner short and Neville curls a cross across to the far post where Evans peels off and sees his header fly inches wide of the far post!!!
11′
Chance!!! United break again from the right and Carrick plays a low ball across the floor of the box but its just behind Rooney. Berbatov can get to it but his shot flies wide!!!
9′
This is more encouraging from the visitors. In a rarity, they get possession and start palying it around the field looking to attack. United still looking the sharper though.
7′
Its gettin closer. Nani finds space on the left and swings in a wicked cross which Berbatov is so close to getting is head onto!! James however catches it. Avram Grant will not be happy with the start his team has made.
6′
Portsmouth have not won at Old Trafford since 1957 and it looks quite tough today. They cannot get out of their own half and United are looking mencaing and getting closer with each attack.
4′
Crikey they're feeling the heat aren't they? United all over the top and this time they win a free kick on the right which is swung in quite dangerously and Pompey struggle to clear. They eventually do but it comes bakc again and yet again they concede a free kick on the right. Nani takes it but its straight at James.
3′
The home team don't lose any time as they attack through Nani and Valencia who has a go but its deflected for a corner. They play it short and Flecther tried to turn it in but the defence blocks and Portsmouth can clear.
1′
And we're off!!!! Lee Mason blows his whistle as Rooney kicks us off.
Substitution Jamie O'Hara 
Hassan Yebda
Jamie O'Hara Hassan Yebda
Substitution Frédéric Piquionne Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Frédéric Piquionne Quincy Owusu-Abeyie
Manchester United go into this game after comprehensively beating Arsenal last week and know that if they win, they will go top atleast till tomorrow when Chelsea play. Portsmouth on the other hand are five points adrift of safety and know that a win is absolutely vital if they are to avoid relegation.
Pompey on the other hand make five changes to their team. They line up with James,Vanden Borre, Rocha, Wilson and Ben-Haim in defence with Webb,Hughes,Belhadj, Mullins and O'Hara in midfield. Up front they start with Piquionne. The bench has Ashdown, Owusu-Abeyie, Finnan, Boateng, Dindane, Yebda and Basinas.
The home team line up with three changes being made to the team form last weekend. Manchester United start with Van Der Saar,Neville,Brown,Evans and Evra in defence.Four across the midfield are Valencia, Carrick,Fletcher and Nani with Berbatov and Rooney upfront. The bench comprises of Kuszczak,Owen,Park,Fabio,Gibson,De Laet and Diouf
Hello and welcome to Goal.com's live coverage of Manchester United vs Portsmout. Team news will follow shortly
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