Fergie makes seven changes

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has made seven changes for the sell-out clash with Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

Juan Sebastian Veron, Fabien Barthez, John O'Shea and Paul Scholes were among those to miss out, although the home line-up still had a familiar look to it with Ruud van Nistelrooy back after an infected toe and Ryan Giggs restored to the starting line-up, along with the Neville brothers.

Kieran Richardson was handed his first taste of the world's oldest cup competition, which United are aiming to win for a record 11th time.

Portsmouth also have an illustrious history in the competition, although their Wembley days have long-since been forgotten by everyone other than the south coast club's faithful fans, who travelled north in numbers hoping to cheer their side onto a famous win.

Under the joint coaching team of Harry Redknapp and Jim Smith, Pompey have taken a stranglehold on the Nationwide League and look set for a long-awaited return to the top flight.

And, with Paul Merson, Steve Stone and Shaka Hislop in their ranks, they had enough experience not to be phased by their entrance into the Theatre of Dreams.