The Red Devils failed to create any real chances although Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Louis Saha had a few opportunities that they didn't capitalise upon to bag a goal. This is the 7th defeat in the league so far this season for Sir Alex Ferguson's side and hopes of retaining their Premiership crown are now well and truly buried.

Fellow second-spot chasers Chelsea drew 0-0 with Everton this afternoon leaving United in 3rd position and 4 points behind Chelsea but with a game in hand. 

Frenchman Louis Saha started bright and lively but didn't manage to be consistent and keep up his dynamic start. The £12 million man had a goal-bound shot stopped by defender Dejan Stefanovic followed by a header that just flashed wide of 'keeper Shaka Hislop.

Ryan Giggs worked well with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to release the Norwegian in front of goal and teed him up for a shot that Trinidad and Tobago international Hislop saved.

Harry Redkanpp's side deservedly broke the deadlock after 36 minutes when Yakubu presented midfielder Steve Stone with the chance to fire Pompey in the lead from close range which he did well.

A defensive school-boy error by Mikael Silvestre fell to the feet of Yakubu who should have done better with his volley that went high into the crowd moments before the 4th official indicated that there will be an extra 2 minutes of play.

Nigerian Yakubu had another chance to fire in a second after the interval but his 15-yard effort wasn't powerful enough to find away past a solid Roy Carroll.

Cameroon international Eric Djemba-Djemba struck a volley straight at Shaka Hislop prior to Solskjaer's turn and volley attempt.

Sir Alex Ferguson then introduced twinkle-toes Cristiano Ronaldo to spice things up and after seconds of coming on for Djemab-Djemba he had a shot blocked by a Pompey defender that crossed the white-line for a corner.

Portuguese international Ronaldo had a chance to steal Portsmouth's well earned 3 points in stoppage time but his free-kick just fizzed wide of Hislop's goal.

      Full-time: Portsmouth 1 - Manchester United 0
                          Att: 20, 140

Pompey: Hislop, Primus, Stefanovic, De Zeeuw, Stone, Faye, Smertin, Berkovic, Taylor, LuaLua, Yakubu.

United: Carroll, Gary Neville, Brown, Silvestre, O'Shea, Butt, Scholes, Djemba-Djemba, Giggs, Saha, Solskjaer.