Darren Fletcher was the unlikely goal hero for the second match in a row as Manchester United won their Premier League title defence up and running with a 1-0 victory at Portsmouth on Monday.
But as soon as possible Dimitar Berbatov becomes an Old Trafford the best player of Sir Alex Ferguson. "We'll just have to wait and see what happens with that," everything was Sir Alex would say on the subject after speaking with Sky Sports, batting away neatly the issue of potential new recruits before the transfer window closes on 1 September.
Fletcher gave United their first victory of the season with a fortuitous 32nd minute strike, which may still be accredited as Sylvain distinctive own goal as the champions produced another attack to show ineffective.
United welcomed back Carlos Tevez after the Argentina lost their first day 1-1 draw with Newcastle because of a family in mourning. The victims of accidents star midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the sidelines.
Portsmouth, who paraded the FA Cup ahead of the Fratton Park fans before launching, delivered immediately debut of French left side Armand Traore after his loan move from Arsenal.
Senegal midfielder Papa Bouba Diop came close to give Harry Redknapp's side a dream start when he shot inches wide of Edwin van der Saar's right hand post with only ten seconds on the clock.
Paul Scholes forced David James into his first sense, except in minute 19 with a 30-yard piledriver esquive, which saw the veteran goalkeeper diving to his left completely left out.
Peter Crouch should have put Portsmouth in front six minutes later after being presented with a golden opportunity for some comical United defence. Scholes inexplicably broke a 40-yard pass again directly in touch and a quick free kick banda Jermaine Defoe set out on the left.
Defoe cross back Patrice Evra was at the foot of Nemanja Vidic, who slipped ahead of Crouch, but the former Liverpool striker fired directly into the chest of goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar. United were given another let off the resulting corner when Younes Kaboul was left completely unmarked only to head wide of Sean Davis from downtown.
Fletcher strikes
The European Cup holders finally showed their class by taking the lead 13 minutes before halftime, allbeit with a huge hand from Portsmouth defenders Sol Campbell and distinguished.
Patrice Evra was played across Tevez on the left wing and whipped in a teasing low cross which Campbell played against Fletcher's knee and could only distinguish a desperate hit the ball into the roof of his own network of the goalline.
Rooney was furious with himself for not extending the lead in 41 minutes. Scholes and Anderson connected brilliantly right before the Brazilian threw the ball to Rooney, who dragged his shot wide from 16 yards with only James to beat. United expect to finally bring his long summer search Tottenham striker Berbatov to a successful conclusion this week and could have done with some of the Bulgarian deceit and crafts, and badly lacking any lead in the second half.
Fletcher, who also deducted from Newcastle last weekend, came closest to adding to the scoreline in the 70 th minute when his fierce right foot volley was accused by Glen Johnson after the impressive Anderson had danced his way through the defense.
Portsmouth had beaten United in three of the five par Premier League meetings in Fratton Park, but never seemed likely to extend that proud record as its cost-gathered in front of two of Crouch and Defoe were stifled by Rio Ferdinand and Vidic.
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