Manchester United visit Portsmouth tonight with manager Sir Alex Ferguson warning his players that a win is vital in what will be their last Premier League encounter for nearly three weeks.
Manchester United are due to fly to Monaco to face Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Super Cup on Friday, and manager Sir Alex Ferguson realises that while they are otherwise engaged, their title rivals have an opportunity to open up an early Premiuer League advantage next weekend.
United kicked off their campaign with an undistinguished draw against Newcastle, and Ferguson does not want his side to repeat last season‘s start, when they did not get a win under their belts until the fourth game of the season. Even though they went on to retain their title in style, Ferguson knows that a sluggish start can give them a mountain to climb - especially as Chelsea and Liverpool are already five points ahead, though they‘ve played a game more.
After their game against Portsmouth tonight, United are not in Premier League action again until 13th September, when they visit arch-rivals Liverpool. Then eight days after that they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
"We had a terribly slow start last season," Ferguson said. "Hopefully it's not as bad this time. But they're not going to give any medals out in August or September.
“Everybody wishes are that you win every game and it doesn't happen, and everybody wishes that you don't get injuries, but it happens."
Ryan Giggs was singing from the same hymn sheet as his boss as United and Pompey prepare to do battle for the third time in a month.
United beat Harry Redknapp's side 2-1 in a pre-season friendly in Nigeria before Pompey lost a penalty shoot-out in the Community Shield at Wembley.
"We don't want a massive gap to open up between ourselves and the other teams who are going to be up there," said Giggs.
"The Newcastle result was disappointing, but that has gone. We're looking at Portsmouth and then the Super Cup. Then we've got a two-week break before facing Liverpool away. We want to make sure we go into that break with two wins under our belt."
Giggs has recovered from a hamstring problem and should line up against Pompey tonight, while Carlos Tevez is set to make his first Premier League start of the season. Owen Hargreaves has recovered from a knee injury and could feature, but Park Ji-Sung, back in training after a knee problem, is not yet match-fit.
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