They cant! And Pompey with a much revived second half performance, draw the game one-all with United, who should have made their first half domiance tell.
90
Pompey are holding on now and can United steal a late victory?
90
And United at this rate will be 4 points behind Chelsea, and could that alreadly prove costly to United?
90
James saves very well from a Rio Ferdinand header, United came close there.
90
And there are FOUR minutes of stoppage time for either side to do that.
90
Closing minutes of the game going into stoppage time, and a goal now would surely win the game.
88
And what a few minutes there has just been! Ronaldo pointlessly headbutts a Pompey player and is rightly sent off, and both teams are down to ten men!
88
Substitution
Chris Eagles comes on to replace Wes Brown
86
Yellow Card
Sean Davies also gets booked for something he has said to the referee.
86
Yellow Card
Vidic is booked for something that he has said to the referee.
85
Red Card
Ronaldo recieves a straight red card after a headbut outside the box before a United corner while right in front of the referee
83
Red Card
Sulley Muntari recieves his second yellow card of the game after a tackle on Carrick and is sent off.
82
Giggs didn't look to impressed at being taken off, and with Giggs being the more attacking of the two players, he may well have a point with United looking for a late goal.
81
Substitution
John O'Shea comes on to replace Ryan Giggs.
80
With Rooney, Saha and Solskjaer out injured, who can United turn to in the final ten minutes for perhaps a winning goal?
77
Into the final 15 and United, if the scores stay the same, will be cursing their luck after not scoring from their first half domination.
75
David Nugent seems to fall over his own feet which means he cant get off the shot, much to the relief of United.
74
Ronaldo stands with his hands on his hips after he hits the ball well wide from a long range shot.
72
James lets the ball loose from a Ronaldo cross, but with Tevez had his back to goal, and wasn't able to fully turn round to tap the ball in.
70
A very different game in this second half, alot of the credit should go to manager Harry Redknapp, who's tatical changes at half-time have done the trick.
68
The ball goes dangerously across the box and somehow, Vidic, only yards from goal, cant get anything on it, and Pompey survive.
68
James makes a great save from a Giggs effort, and United win a corner.
67
Ferguson may have to start thinking about if or when to bring off Tevez, the striker isn't fully match fit yet and who knows how long he can last.
64
Substitution
Richard Hughes comes on to replace Noe Pamarot
63
Noe Pamarot is down injured and there is a break in play, Redknapp may have to make a change.
62
Evra does well to stop Portsmouth scoring a second, Van Der Sar parried a Pompey shot and the French defender was alert to clearing the danger.
60
Portsmouth need to make sure that they can keep up this pace and temp of the game, otherwise United could end up domianting Pompey as they did the first half.
57
The game has certainly uped in pace and tempo and the home crowd are very vocal as they sense that the game could be their's for the taking if things persist in this manner.
55
Ronaldo hits a powerful free-kick, and james does well to parry it away.
54
Yellow Card
Sulley Muntari is booked for a foul on Ronaldo.
53
Goal
Benjani Mwaruwari heads Pompey level after Vidic is unable to get to a Matty Taylor cross, and after such a bright restart, Pompey do deserve the goal.
52
Tevez has to act quickly to get his shot on goal, but he cant control it and the striker volleys the ball over the bar.
51
Giggs sees James out of his goal and tries a long range shot, but the ball goes safely wide.
49
Nani, after good work from Ronaldo, has a good shot on goal leaving James to make a good save.
48
Portsmouth have changed formation and have started much brighter, home fans will be hoping that their side can continue this.
45
Substitution
Harry Redknapp has made a double substitution with Djimi Traore and Matthew Taylor comming on for Martin Cranie and Miguel Pedro Mendes
Second half
The game restarts and Pompey will be looking to play much better than they did the first half, but with United in this form, will they be able to?
Half time
The minute is up and United do go into the break with that single goal lead thanks to Paul Scholes' effort from the edge of the box.
45
Into stoppage time, which there will be one of, and United will look to stay ahead going into the break
42
Vidic shows great alertness after clearing the danger from a Pompey corner.
41
John Utaka, who seems to be a good buy for Portsmouth, loses the ball to Scholes, and United easily sweep up a Pompey attack.
39
Portsmouth are struggling to even hold onto the ball at the moment, and United seem to have control over the home side.
36
Vidic makes himself a nuisance from a corner again, but this time it's at the right end, but he fails to get a clean header on the ball.
34
United nearly go 2-0 up after a Ronaldo shot is saved and Tevez almost scores from the rebound, but the danger is avoided.
33
Portsmouth have a corner, but Edwin Van der Sar's biggest problem seems to be Vidic who gets in the way, but the Dutch keeper catches safely.
31
Nani, Ronaldo and Tevez seem to be forming a good partnership between them, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased with that.
28
Tevez plays through Ronaldo, but he is flagged offside, and United, who have a history of losing here, need to take advantage of this continued pressure.
25
David Nugent has yet to make his mark in this game, but this is more down to United's defending rather than Portsmouth's attacking.
23
United are currently sustaining a good period of pressure, and Pompey need to hold out as going 2-0 down now could be bad news!
20
Giggs puts in a good corner and the ball flies dangerously across the box, but Distin can clear the danger.
19
The home fans haven't given up and our showing their support for their team, but United are looking more in control at the moment.
16
The goal came from good work from Tevez and Nani, and United seem to have settled alot after that goal.
14
Goal
Paul Scholes scores from a trademark effort from the edge of the penalty area, and after patient build-up, Scholes has fizzed United into the lead
13
A Pompey attack seems to fizzle out after the home side just end up passing the ball back to Distin in midfield when there were other more attacking options.
11
Rio Ferdinand clears the danger for United after Hermann Hreidarsson had the chance to shot on goal.
8
Neither team seems to have settled yet and neither keeper has been tested, but its so early on in the game, and this should change with two such attacking sides.
5
Vidic seems to be pushed by David Nugent, and Vidic reacts angrily, but referee Bennett brings some calm to the situation.
4
Nani puts in a dangerous corner, but James, making his 133rd consecutive appearance in goal, comes out and makes a great claim on the ball.
2
The game has started in a fairly lively tempo, and with the home fans known for their vocal support, we should be in for a great game.
Kickoff
Steve Bennett is the man in charge for the game at Fratton Park tonight, and all eyes are on Carlos Tevez as this game kicks-off.
Awaiting Kickoff
Tevez makes his debut for United and Nani also starts as United begin with: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Giggs, Tevez
Awaiting Kickoff
Pedro Mendes passes a late fitness test and starts, whereas Sol Campbell doesn't and sits out this game as Pompey start with: James, Pamarot, Cranie, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Pedro Mendes, Davis, Muntari, Mwaruwari, Nugent
Portsmouth
Manchester United
Full time
They cant! And Pompey with a much revived second half performance, draw the game one-all with United, who should have made their first half domiance tell.
Pompey are holding on now and can United steal a late victory?
And United at this rate will be 4 points behind Chelsea, and could that alreadly prove costly to United?
James saves very well from a Rio Ferdinand header, United came close there.
And there are FOUR minutes of stoppage time for either side to do that.
Closing minutes of the game going into stoppage time, and a goal now would surely win the game.
And what a few minutes there has just been! Ronaldo pointlessly headbutts a Pompey player and is rightly sent off, and both teams are down to ten men!
Substitution
Chris Eagles comes on to replace Wes Brown
Yellow Card
Sean Davies also gets booked for something he has said to the referee.
Yellow Card
Vidic is booked for something that he has said to the referee.
Red Card
Ronaldo recieves a straight red card after a headbut outside the box before a United corner while right in front of the referee
Red Card
Sulley Muntari recieves his second yellow card of the game after a tackle on Carrick and is sent off.
Giggs didn't look to impressed at being taken off, and with Giggs being the more attacking of the two players, he may well have a point with United looking for a late goal.
Substitution
John O'Shea comes on to replace Ryan Giggs.
With Rooney, Saha and Solskjaer out injured, who can United turn to in the final ten minutes for perhaps a winning goal?
Into the final 15 and United, if the scores stay the same, will be cursing their luck after not scoring from their first half domination.
David Nugent seems to fall over his own feet which means he cant get off the shot, much to the relief of United.
Ronaldo stands with his hands on his hips after he hits the ball well wide from a long range shot.
James lets the ball loose from a Ronaldo cross, but with Tevez had his back to goal, and wasn't able to fully turn round to tap the ball in.
A very different game in this second half, alot of the credit should go to manager Harry Redknapp, who's tatical changes at half-time have done the trick.
The ball goes dangerously across the box and somehow, Vidic, only yards from goal, cant get anything on it, and Pompey survive.
James makes a great save from a Giggs effort, and United win a corner.
Ferguson may have to start thinking about if or when to bring off Tevez, the striker isn't fully match fit yet and who knows how long he can last.
Substitution
Richard Hughes comes on to replace Noe Pamarot
Noe Pamarot is down injured and there is a break in play, Redknapp may have to make a change.
Evra does well to stop Portsmouth scoring a second, Van Der Sar parried a Pompey shot and the French defender was alert to clearing the danger.
Portsmouth need to make sure that they can keep up this pace and temp of the game, otherwise United could end up domianting Pompey as they did the first half.
The game has certainly uped in pace and tempo and the home crowd are very vocal as they sense that the game could be their's for the taking if things persist in this manner.
Ronaldo hits a powerful free-kick, and james does well to parry it away.
Yellow Card
Sulley Muntari is booked for a foul on Ronaldo.
Goal
Benjani Mwaruwari heads Pompey level after Vidic is unable to get to a Matty Taylor cross, and after such a bright restart, Pompey do deserve the goal.
Tevez has to act quickly to get his shot on goal, but he cant control it and the striker volleys the ball over the bar.
Giggs sees James out of his goal and tries a long range shot, but the ball goes safely wide.
Nani, after good work from Ronaldo, has a good shot on goal leaving James to make a good save.
Portsmouth have changed formation and have started much brighter, home fans will be hoping that their side can continue this.
Substitution
Harry Redknapp has made a double substitution with Djimi Traore and Matthew Taylor comming on for Martin Cranie and Miguel Pedro Mendes
Second half
The game restarts and Pompey will be looking to play much better than they did the first half, but with United in this form, will they be able to?
Half time
The minute is up and United do go into the break with that single goal lead thanks to Paul Scholes' effort from the edge of the box.
Into stoppage time, which there will be one of, and United will look to stay ahead going into the break
Vidic shows great alertness after clearing the danger from a Pompey corner.
John Utaka, who seems to be a good buy for Portsmouth, loses the ball to Scholes, and United easily sweep up a Pompey attack.
Portsmouth are struggling to even hold onto the ball at the moment, and United seem to have control over the home side.
Vidic makes himself a nuisance from a corner again, but this time it's at the right end, but he fails to get a clean header on the ball.
United nearly go 2-0 up after a Ronaldo shot is saved and Tevez almost scores from the rebound, but the danger is avoided.
Portsmouth have a corner, but Edwin Van der Sar's biggest problem seems to be Vidic who gets in the way, but the Dutch keeper catches safely.
Nani, Ronaldo and Tevez seem to be forming a good partnership between them, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be pleased with that.
Tevez plays through Ronaldo, but he is flagged offside, and United, who have a history of losing here, need to take advantage of this continued pressure.
David Nugent has yet to make his mark in this game, but this is more down to United's defending rather than Portsmouth's attacking.
United are currently sustaining a good period of pressure, and Pompey need to hold out as going 2-0 down now could be bad news!
Giggs puts in a good corner and the ball flies dangerously across the box, but Distin can clear the danger.
The home fans haven't given up and our showing their support for their team, but United are looking more in control at the moment.
The goal came from good work from Tevez and Nani, and United seem to have settled alot after that goal.
Goal
Paul Scholes scores from a trademark effort from the edge of the penalty area, and after patient build-up, Scholes has fizzed United into the lead
A Pompey attack seems to fizzle out after the home side just end up passing the ball back to Distin in midfield when there were other more attacking options.
Rio Ferdinand clears the danger for United after Hermann Hreidarsson had the chance to shot on goal.
Neither team seems to have settled yet and neither keeper has been tested, but its so early on in the game, and this should change with two such attacking sides.
Vidic seems to be pushed by David Nugent, and Vidic reacts angrily, but referee Bennett brings some calm to the situation.
Nani puts in a dangerous corner, but James, making his 133rd consecutive appearance in goal, comes out and makes a great claim on the ball.
The game has started in a fairly lively tempo, and with the home fans known for their vocal support, we should be in for a great game.
Kickoff
Steve Bennett is the man in charge for the game at Fratton Park tonight, and all eyes are on Carlos Tevez as this game kicks-off.
Awaiting Kickoff
Tevez makes his debut for United and Nani also starts as United begin with: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Giggs, Tevez
Awaiting Kickoff
Pedro Mendes passes a late fitness test and starts, whereas Sol Campbell doesn't and sits out this game as Pompey start with: James, Pamarot, Cranie, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Pedro Mendes, Davis, Muntari, Mwaruwari, Nugent