Rock bottom Portsmouth host Manchester United at Fratton Park on Saturday with new coach Avram Grant hoping to start his tenure at Pompey in style.
The last time Avram met Sir Alex was in the 2008 UEFA Champions League final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. A night Mr Chelsea himself - John Terry - will want to forget after his penalty blooper ultimately cost The Blues the European crown.

The game signalled the end of Grant’s brief reign as Blues coach and now the Israeli coach seeks to net his first win as new Pompey boss – against Sir Alex Ferguson.

Grant was installed as new coach following the dismissal of Paul Hart in the wake of Pompey's 1-0 loss away to Stoke last Sunday and with the South Coast club firmly rooted to the foot of the table, the Israeli knows that he will have to hit the ground running if he is to keep his side in the top-flight.

Champions Manchester United arrive on the back of 1-0 defeat at home to Besiktas in the UEFA Champions League and with Fergie set to begin his two-match touchline ban for his comments about referee Alan Wiley, Grant will be aware that now could be the time to pounce.

Ferguson rested several of his first team stars in midweek but the Red Devils will revert to their strongest XI today as they target the victory they need to keep tabs with leaders Chelsea who are five points clear at the top.

Team News:

Portsmouth could still be without England goalkeeper David James who injured his calf in the warm-up prior to the game at Stoke last Sunday.

Combative midfielder Papa Bouba Diop is set to claim a place on the bench after a lengthy spell on the treatment table alongside winger John Utaka and full-back Steve Finnan who have also been long-term absentees.

Manchester United are set to continue with duo Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown at the heart of the defence, and John O’Shea’s thigh injury means that veteran full-back Gary Neville is set to start.

Rio Ferdinand is still out although Ferguson hopes to call upon the services of striker Dimitar Berbatov after he missed out in Wednesday night’s defeat.

Probable Starting XIs; Star Man:

Portsmouth (4-4-1-1): Ashdown, Ben Haim. Hreidarsson, Kaboul, Wilson, Brown, Boateng, O'Hara, Mullins, Kanu, Dindane.

Man Utd (4-4-2): Van der Sar, Neville, Brown, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Berbatov.

ExtraFootie's Prediction: Portsmouth 1-2 Manchester United. Avram Grant began his managerial life in the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United and we believe he will began life at Fratton Park in similar vein – with a defeat against Manchester United.