United 3 v Portsmouth 0

Fergie was able to take his new seat at Old Trafford with some ease on Saturday. Able to field arguably his best current X1, he had the look of a man that only had to sit back, press play and watch his favourite show in his Theatre of Dreams.

The fact that the media had concentrated so much on Fergie’s 20 years at Old Trafford was perhaps fortunate, as it took the media’s usually predatory eyes away from Rooney’s dive to win a penalty. You can dress it up as going down easily under a challenge if it helps you keep faith, but it was a dive, pure and simple.

Saha stepped up to bury the chance from 12 yards with confidence and duly dispatched his effort past the diving David James.

United continued to play decent flowing football without hitting the heights shown at Bolton a week earlier. Gary Neville took every opportunity to show just how good he is at getting forward and just how bad he is at finishing. It is not a criticism. It isn’t his job. It did however provide an amusing sub-plot to the game with David James continuously provide the saves needed to remind his of his fullback status.

James, who did well throughout, was undone by a freekick from Ronaldo, who managed to connect with the ball in a way that ensures both speed and accuracy are maximised. It truly was a great effort and went some way to answering the question over his status as United’s main freekick taker. I am sure Fergie will be on at him to repeat it more often.

United’s third goal came shortly after a good spell from the visitors, who rather curiously left Kanu on the bench, a move which almost suggested they knew it was not their day to claim. With Neville turning provider, Vidic climbed unchallenged in the area to head past James to secure any doubts that this was United’s day.

Good performances from every United player meant United went 3 points clear at the top of the table. Over to you Chelsea.

Ratings: Van der Saar 7, Neville 8, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 8, Evra 7. Ronaldo 7, Carrick 7, Scholes 7, Giggs 8, Saha 8, Rooney 7.