PREMIER LEAGUE: OLD TRAFFORD, SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2010. KICK-OFF: 1500 GMTMANCHESTER UNITED:
Not that Sir Alex Ferguson was even aware they were playing, but Chelsea's slip at Hull has given Manchester United a chance to heap pressure on Carlo Ancelotti's men ahead of their game against Arsenal on Sunday.
This should be a routine victory for Ferguson's men and a win would send them top ahead of the crunch London derby at Stamford Bridge.
With three straight Premier League trophies in their back pocket, United know all about these weeks and months and, having beaten Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-final before winning 3-1 at Arsenal last week, Ferguson feels that the time has come for United to really click into the gear.
Ferguson said: "I think we have to. I made the point that whoever is most successful will win the league. It was a massive game against Arsenal last week, we were in great form and it was a very good performance by us and hopefully this is kick-on time.
"Each game towards the finishing tape becomes more important and it doesn't matter who it is, we want three points from every one now and hopefully we can keep that consistency. Obviously you look for bits of luck here and there and playing to the ability but we have a reasonable sized squad I think."
Strategy: They may not have had that convincing feel about them for much of the campaign, but United still know how to do the business at Old Trafford and, having lost to Aston Villa in December and drawn with Sunderland in October, they have only dropped five points from their 12 home matches.
They have certainly had no problem in dispatching the likes of Portmsouth this season and their record against bottom-half teams at Old Trafford will make ominous reading for Avram Grant's players.
Stoke and West Ham are yet to make the trip to Manchester but, aside from Sunderland's draw, they have chalked up six wins, scoring 19 goals and conceding just once. They will look to pile forward from the very start against Pompey and will be determined to win by some margin to boost their goal difference.
Ferguson added: "It gives us a chance and the game is the kind of game we have always navigated quite well. I watched Portsmouth on Wednesday and they were unlucky in the match and could have got something from it but when you down there is sometimes goes that way and it's difficult to get points."
Injury Update: Nemanja Vidic could return from a calf strain that he sustained in the 5-0 win over Wigan at the end of December and John O'Shea and Owen Hargreaves are out long-term.
PORTSMOUTH:
Portsmouth's season continues to be shambling, chaotic and disastrous, a situation summed up by the latest takeover of the beleaguered club which ensured that Pompey have now had as many owners – four – as they have recorded league wins this season.
Balram Chainrai is now the name above the Fratton Park door, pending confirmation from the Premier League that the Hong Kong-based businessman has passed their 'Fit and Proper Person's test', but has made it clear he intends only to bring stability to the club and intends to find a new buyer as quickly as possible.
The question, therefore, is will Grant's team record the fifth league win before the club acquires yet another new owner? And a trip to Old Trafford is unlikely to nip that issue in the bud.
Grant himself has found himself embroiled in controversy this week following his visit to a local massage parlour, providing further distraction away from his team's plight.
The manager, though, deserves great credit for maintaining his own and his team's motivation during a dark period in the club's history and with better finishing , and Grant insists his side will face United believing they can get something from the game.
"I always believe," the manger told the club's website, wwwportsmouthfc.co.uk. "This is football and anything can happen. I don't want to see anyone in my team who doesn't feel the same. Manchester United are a good team and of course it will be tough, but you always need to face the challenge in a positive way.
"When I was Chelsea manager nobody put a bet on us reaching the Champions League final or pushing United close for the title. We've shown in the last few games that we give our all and the players will try their hardest again.
"The players continue to try – they will not give up and I continue to be proud of what we're doing. As long as we have a chance then we will continue to fight."
Strategy: Containment will inevitably be the key to any hopes Grant's side may harbour of pulling off a shock result against Sir Alex Ferguson's side. Pompey have defended tenaciously at times this season; unfortunately they have also defended erratically as well. Much will depend on how much protection the midfield can offer the back four and the return of Algerian duo Hassan Yebda and Nadir Belhadj from Africa Cup of Nations Duty has strengthened that key area.
Injury Update: Papa Bouba Diop and Michael Brown are the main concerns. Diop has a hamstring strain and Brown is struggling with a back problem.
