Success here in 2007

By Chris,
August 10 2008

United’s season gets underway on Sunday as the Red Devils take on F.A Cup holders Pompey for the Community Shield at Wembley. There are a few selection problems however for Sir Alex Ferguson with Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves and Ben Foster - to name just three - all unavailable. Fergie’s men go into the game on the back of an unbeaten pre-season campaign.

United have got their hands on the Shield sixteen times before - 12 outright and 4 shared - and are favourites to retain the silverware on Sunday afternoon.

However, a difficult afternoon can be expected against F.A Cup holders Portsmouth. They've brought lanky frontman Peter Crouch back to Fratton Park in a £11million deal as Harry Redknapp sets his sights on a top-six finish this season.

The two sides have already met this summer - in the bizarre ‘money match' in Nigeria. Both teams were paid shed loads of cash to play at a half-empty stadium - with goals from Chris Eagles and Carlos Tevez securing a 2-1 win for the Red Devils.

The last competitive meeting between the two sides was, of course, last season's Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford. Rio Ferdinand donned the gloves for United following Edwin van der Sar's injury and Tomasz Kuszczak's dismissal but he was helpless to stop Sulley Muntari's penalty settling the tie.

United will be without Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Ji-Sung Park, Louis Saha, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves on Sunday - meaning Fergie has to shuffle his first-team pack.

Carlos Tevez will start up-front and could be partnered by 20-year-old Fraizer Campbell - who has impressed during a busy pre-season schedule. Meanwhile, Gary Neville is expected to continue his comeback from injury with an appearance - whilst Michael Carrick looks set to start after shaking off a virus.

Pompey have endured a summer of frustration on the transfer market having failed to sign the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips and Nicky Shorey. They will be without Lassana Diarra on Sunday - but are still a dangerous side who will be desperate to pick up a third win at Wembley in 2008.

If you haven't done so already - please get involved in our Prediction League by following the link on the menu.

We're predicting a difficult afternoon for the Reds.
Come on United - let's get the silverware rolling in!