United faced Portsmouth for an all-Premiership pre-season encounter in Nigeria, the first of three meetings between the sides in the next month. United ran out 2-1 winners. Here’s all the notes…
Man United 2 Portsmouth 1
Second-half goals from Eagles and Tevez saw United run out winners against Redknapp’s side in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
United could have had the lead after just five minutes after Johnson was adjudged to have fouled Campbell in the box. Tevez was forced to retake the spot-kick for encroachment and duly fired his second effort against the crossbar.
Eagles finally gave United a deserved lead 5 minutes after the break, smashing home from 12-yards after Pompey had failed to clear their lines. Tevez made it two just minutes later, driving home from the right channel with James expecting a cross. Defoe scored a consolation for Portsmouth in the final minute.
Ferguson opted to rest Rooney after he picked up a dead leg against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday while Ferdinand was also conspicuous by his absence. The centre-back returned last Tuesday against Orlando Pirates but reportedly missed this one to attend the birth of his second child back in the UK.
Pompey were without Kanu, Campbell and Sahar who all picked up knocks against Kano Pillars on Friday. Otherwise it was a strong Portsmouth side that took to the field. Harry’s side did however, suffer some knocks during the game with Pamarot and Utaka limping off.
Both sides take a break in their pre-seasons now. United take on Espanyol on Saturday while Portsmouth visit Oxford United next Monday.
Man United vs Portsmouth:
Kuszczak (Amos 76); Neville, Evans (O’Shea 66), Vidic, Silvestre; Gibson, Carrick (Cathcart 66), Scholes, Eagles (Cleverley 79); Tevez (Giggs 66), Campbell
Portsmouth vs Man United:
James; Johnson, Pamarot (Primus 40), Distin, Hreidarsson (Traore 46); Utaka (Little 44), Diop (Mvuemba 66), Mendes (Davis 46), Kranjcar (Lauren 46); Defoe, Crouch