Player Ratings: Portsmouth 0-1 Manchester United

PORTSMOUTH
David James: 6.5 - Some decent stops, especially from a well-struck Scholes free kick in the first half but couldn’t do much about the goal.
Glen Johnson: 6.5 - He got forwards well as usual but his crossing at times was poor and defensively the full back had a busy evening.
Sylvain Distin: 6.5 - Good defending to prevent Anderson making it two at the start of the second half but had his hands full against Rooney and Tevez and endured an uncomfortable evening.
Sol Campbell: 5.5 - Was beaten by Fletcher for the goal and his lack of pace was often exposed by United’s front two.
Armand Traore: 6.0 - Lasted just less than an hour but he can pleased with a solid debut. He looks as though he may be another shrewd signing by Redknapp.
Papa Bouba Diop: 5.5 - Fired one wide after only 13 seconds but defensively he was poor. The big man lost Fletcher for the goal and could have been sent off late on.
Sean Davis: 5.0 - Was barely involved in the game and lasted just over an hour before being sacrificed for John Utaka as his side searched for an equaliser.
Lassana Diarra: 6.5 – His passing wasn’t quite up to his usual standards. Had his chances to create something late on with a free kick and a corner but poor delivery saw the opportunities go begging.
Younes Kaboul: 6.0 - Lost Rooney completely at the end of the first half and will have watched with relief when the ball just went wide.
Peter Crouch: 5.5 – Althoughhis chances were few and far between he is unlikely to have impressed the watching Fabio Capello. His partnership with Defoe is still to gel.
Jermain Defoe: 5.0 – Grew more frustrated as the game went on. Struggled against the power of Vidic and was frequently caught off side.
Substitutions
Jerome Thomas: 6.0 - A decent shot only minutes after coming on forced Van der Sar into his first real save of the evening, and was marginally better than the man he replaced. Davis.
John Utaka: 5.5 - Replaced Davis as Pompey looked to increase their attacking threat but couldn’t find the vital equaliser.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Edwin Van der Sar: 7.0 - A few long range shots were about all he had to deal with he handled them with relative ease.
Wes Brown: 7.0 - Another strong showing must have Gary Neville kicking his heels in frustration on the bench.
Rio Ferdinand: 7.0 - Looked comfortable at the back against Crouch and Defoe and defended well at set pieces against a tall Portsmouth side.
Nemanja Vidic: 7.0 – Along with Ferdinand he ensured Harry Redknapp's men had relatively few chances and were reduced to shooting from range.
Patrice Evra: 7.5 - Great tackle denied Crouch midway through the first half and his overlapping runs caused Pompey problems. Set up the opener for Fletcher and was an attacking threat all night.
John O’Shea: 6.0 - Played the holding role in midfield in the absence of Carrick and Hargreaves and looked shaky at times with some poor challenges.
Darren Fletcher: 7.0 - The dubious goals committee may deny him the opener but at the very least it was a great run to get in at the near post. Two goals in two games for the Scot – possibly.
Anderson: 7.0 - Flung straight into the team after returning from the Olympics and looked lively. Set up Rooney at the end of the first half and was almost put in to double United’s lead in the second. Paul Scholes: 7.5 - Makes the game look easy at times, displayed his full range of passing and was always available for the ball. He even made some decent interceptions near his own box.
Wayne Rooney: 7.0 - Made one great chance at the end of the first half with a great turn past Kaboul before shooting narrowly wide but that was about that. A neat finish in the second half was harshly flagged offside.
Carlos Tevez: 8.0 - A bundle of energy as always and looked a menace all evening. Lovely through ball sent Evra racing clear to set in Fletcher for the opener.
Substitutions:
Rodrigo Possebon: 6.0 - Another substitute appearance for the 19 year old Brazilian, but didn’t really have time to influence the game.