Pompey expose United’s frailties

PORTSMOUTH’S first win over Manchester United in 47 years, albeit in only 15 games, has stung the soon-to-be-deposed champions into finally admitting they have let their standards slip.

And although Pompey deserve enormous credit for the memorable triumph that will now almost certainly lead to their Barclaycard Premiership survival, manager Harry Redknapp admits he can hardly bear the thought of another top-flight struggle.

Alex Ferguson, having all but conceded the title to Arsenal, had pledged his United troops to win all their remaining six games and trump Chelsea for the second automatic Champions League place thus avoiding the drudgery of pre-qualifying in Europe.