Rooney saves United blushes

FT Manchester United 2 Portsmouth 1

Wayne Rooney stepped off the bench to secure Manchester United’s passage into the fifth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

Rooney scored twice in the space of seven minutes against Portsmouth to give United the upper hand.

Pedro Mendes pulled a goal back for the visitors with three minutes remaining but they ran out of time in their effort to take the tie to a replay.

United made the breakthrough after 76 minutes through Rooney.

He got on the end of a cross from Giggs to tap the ball home at the far post after Larsson had started the move.

Seven minutes later the England striker made it 2-0 with a delightful chip over James from 20 yards after being set up by Neville.

Portsmouth pulled a goal back through Mendes in the 87th minute when his effort took a deflection but it was too little too late.