the blog of manchester united

Manchester United claim the first silverware for this season by beating Portsmouth 3-1 on penalty shoot-out after a 90 minutes goal-less draw.

Nani did play for Man Utd as his suspension is only valid for the next two competitive games.  He provides much of United attacking sparks along with Tevez as Rooney and Ronaldo missed out this encounter.

Pompey’s duo of Crouch and Defoe showed there are much things to work out on between them and the selling of Muntari to Inter a week ago has effect on Pompey’s flair as there seems to be lack of creativity going into United’s heart of defense.  Neither flanks work for Pompey as well as both United’s full-back were roaming freely.

Gary Neville returned to the lineup as captain, and his performance showed as if he hadn’t missed that much games.  This is a great news for Fergie as now both Neville and Brown is available.  O’Shea started the game ahead of Carrick and Fletcher started on the right flank with Giggs playing behind Tevez as the lone striker.

United had a couple of chances where Nani lobbed over (when he probably should’ve slotted it) and Fletcher missed out a glorious opportunities from a beautiful cross from Nani.  Tevez in the second half shot a glorious curling but David James was on top of his game to parry it out.  United dominated possessions and kept creating chances but lacking the killer final pass and James had one of his best nights.

It came down to penalty after 90 minutes and United were back to the familiar zone as last year when they beat Chelsea 3-0 on penalties with van der Sar saving all penalties.  This time though Pompey were poor on penalties.  Off the first four Pompey kickers, only Defoe slotted it home with the first and fourth takers missed it, and van der Sar saving Arnold Mvuemba’s penalty, and both Lassana Diarra and Glen Johnson blasted it over the bar.  United’s penalty takers all converted, Tevez, Giggs, and Carrick.

Man of the Match: Tevez

His determination, never say die attitutude and flair during the whole match epitomized Manchester United spirit and the way football should be played.