Manchester United Vs. Portsmouth Result Report

United’s dreams of a Treble came to an end at Old Trafford on Saturday. But how this FA Cup quarter final tie ended in anything other than a Reds victory is a mystery. Call it fate, luck (or lack of it), this simply wasn’t United’s day.

Portsmouth snatched victory with a 78th minute penalty, resulting in Tomasz Kuszczak’s sending off and Rio Ferdinand replacing him in goal. But it was so ridiculously against the run of play that it was a sense of daylight robbery.

The Reds can but feel a deep sense of frustration. And injustice, too. Cristiano Ronaldo was denied a clear penalty after seven minutes, one of many refereeing decisions that Sir Alex Ferguson was no doubt furious with.

The Reds boss made three changes to the team that beat Lyon in midweek, calling on Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez – not at all bad replacements. The only downside was Louis Saha’s late withdrawal from the bench with an injury, Ji-sung Park taking his place.

No matter which team Sir Alex selects, it bears the usual United hallmarks, and the Reds began with clear intent: this competition is more than a passing interest.

United were denied a clear penalty after seven minutes. Rooney’s glorious cross-field pass found Ronaldo, whose first-time touch to him clear of Niko Kranjcar. Darting into the box he shifted the ball away from Sylvain Distin, who clattered into. Clear bodycheck. Clear penalty. Referee Martin Atkinson waved play-on. Sir Alex, rightly, was furious and straight out of usual spot in the Reds’ dug-out.

The sense of injustice was keenly felt throughout the ground. And when Papa Bouba Diop tugged the Portuguese shirt, he was booked. It was scant consolation, however. Portsmouth’s tactic clear was to stop the Reds winger from playing, by any means possible.

Portsmouth, with Nwankwo Kanu as a lone striker, clearly saw their midfield as the key to penetrating United’s defence. And Edwin van der Sar was given his first taste of action on 15 minutes, when Kranjcar – arguably Portsmouth’s classiest player – testing him with a swerving effort from 25 yards. The Dutchman had two attempts to claw the ball into his arms, but it could have troubled him more had it not been straight at him.

Harry Redknapp’s men should have been 1-0 down inside 20 minutes, but for some brave defending from Glen Johnson. Tevez broke clear down the right and put Rooney one-on-one with James. The Reds striker was not quick enough getting his shot off, and James saved. Tevez latched onto the loose ball and shot goalwards, but Johnson headed the ball off the line.

United had a second penalty appeal turned down when John Utaka bundled into Nani inside the area, though it was far less clear-cut than Ronaldo’s earlier incident.

Portsmouth’s five-man midfield did well in the first half not to allow Scholes time on the ball. Nevertheless, United still had plenty of attacking opportunities in the first half, most frequently on the counter. But the final pass, or decision whether or not to shoot wasn’t quite right for the Reds.

In the first half United’s crossing from wide positions was not as sharp as it needed to be against the towering figures of Distin, Sol Campbell and Hermann Hreidarsson.

Kuszczak replaced van der Sar at half-time, but very little changed in the outlook of the game; Portsmouth continuing to stifle in midfield, the referee making pedantic and occasionally bizarre decisions, and United’s finishing touch still elusive.

A good move involving Tevez, Rooney and, finally Nani, ended with the Portuguese winger testing James just after the break. Then on 58 minutes United went even closer. An almighty scramble in the box following Nani’s corner saw Vidic, Tevez and Scholes all go close to force the ball over the line, before Ronaldo fired wide on the edge of the area.

The chances kept coming, and passing, for United. Ronaldo fired wide after a delightful one-two with Rooney. Then the Portuguese winger header over from his compatriot Nani’s cross.

The problem seemed to be that United couldn’t get in behind Portsmouth’s solid defence. That’s why the chance came. Anderson and Michael Carrick replaced Tevez and Hargreaves respectively, switching to 4-3-3 with Ronaldo, Rooney and Nani in attack.

Still the frustration told. Ronaldo’s backpass on the edge of the area put Carrick through. He rounded the keeper, but couldn’t get enough on his shot to beat Distin, who cleared the ball off the line. Shortly after James denied Evra, the Pompey keeper’s fingertip save pushing the Frenchman’s volley onto the post. Then Campbell cleared brilliantly from Nani’s cross. The words on everyone’s lips: Not our day.

That was certainly the case as Portsmouth broke with fifteen minutes remaining and Baros was fouled by Kuszczak. His red card seemed harsh considering that Anderson had got back in time to cover. Cue discussions over who should go in goal. Rooney immediately claimed responsibility, but his attacking powers are too precious to lose when chasing a game. Rio took responsibility, with shades of John O’Shea against Tottenham last year. He guessed the right way, but Sulley Muntari slotted home the resulting penalty.

If anything, the sheer improbability of United trailing after dominating the entire match and the sense of injustice at some of the appalling refereeing decisions spurred the crowd into a frenzy. Would it be enough?

Ronaldo went close with a dipping free-kick, but it wasn’t to be. It’s no consolation, but United simply did not deserve to lose this tie. Portsmouth, who in fairness worked tirelessly and took their chance when it came, go through to the semi finals, but even they must concede this was the unlikeliest of victories.

The one hope is that the frustration and disappointment of this defeat does not affect United’s hopes of success in the league and in Europe. On the flipside, it may even enhance them.

Team Line-ups

Manchester United: Van der Sar (Kuszczak 46); Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Ronaldo, Hargreaves (Carrick 69), Scholes, Nani; Tevez (Anderson 68), Rooney.

Subs not used: O’Shea, Park (replaced Saha).
Booked: Rooney

Portsmouth: James; Johnson, Campbell, Distin (Lauren 74), Hreidarsson; Utaka, Muntari, Diarra, Diop, Kranjcar (Hughes 80); Kanu (Baros 54).
Subs not used: Ashdown, Mvuemba.
Booked: Diop, Diarra