Manchester United v. Portsmouth - Match Preview

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that Ruud van Nistelrooy will start his first match in 21 games when the Red Devils face Portsmouth on Saturday evening.

Pompey, the least form team in the league, make the trip to Manchester to face The Red Devils, the most form team in the league, and the home side will have to show their 'bouncebackability' following Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat to AC Milan.

Ferguson also admitted the Dutchman will be in the starting XI against Crystal Palace to condition him for the return leg at the San Siro. The striker has been on the sidelines for three months with an Achilles problem.

"He'll play in our next two matches against Portsmouth and Crystal Palace," admitted the Scotsman. "He will be much better prepared to face Milan at the San Siro."

"Ruud van Nistelrooy could score against anybody in the world and he's without doubt the best predator I've ever known. So we've got that potential of Ruud's goals plus I think we'll be much more relaxed over there"

If all results go United's way this weekend, and with Chelsea in a Caring Cup final with Liverpool on Sunday, they could close the gap on the Blues to just six points. "It's certainly a big weekend for us and the incentive of going six points behind Chelsea is there for everyone and all my players are aware of that," stated Fergie

He added: "If you look at the facts I think everyone would probably agree - even Chelsea would probably agree - that they're not playing as well as they were four or five weeks ago."

Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane are expected to be handed a rests whilst Pompey's Patrick Berger faces a late fitness test.

ManUtdWeb Prediction: Manchester United 2 - 0 Portsmouth - United have swiped 41 points from 45 in their last 15 league matches, and are producing excellent stuff. The Champions League loss may have affected morale, but I'm sure Ferguson handled the defeated calmly and is focused on their string of Premiership games.