One area he is likely to have his hand forced is in goal, with David James sidelined. Asmir Begovic is expected to be chosen over Jamie Ashdown.

Grant has to make his mind up whether to continue with Aruna Dindane and Kanu up front. Kanu played his first 90 minutes in more than a year against Stoke.

Hassan Yebda is struggling with a calf injury.

Pompey star Danny Webber said: 'This is a game I've been looking forward to, and hopefully I can play some part in it.

'Obviously, it goes without saying, though, that the most important thing is picking up the three points.

'I'm told Manchester United have a bad record at Fratton Park. I know that no-one likes coming down here, so that is something we need to take advantage of.

'We need everyone behind us and to create as intimidating an atmosphere as we possibly can.

'I feel we have the quality in the team to turn things around still this season.

'There's a long, long way to go yet. I still know a few faces at United – but I just want the win for Pompey.'

Sir Alex Ferguson is bracing himself to be without three of his international defenders for the trip to Fratton Park.

John O'Shea (ankle), Jonny Evans (ankle) and Rio Ferdinand (back) are all injury doubts having missed the past few games.

Dimitar Berbatov, however, will be fit after recovering from the knee injury which has kept him out of the past four games.

He will partner Wayne Rooney in a two-pronged attack while Wes Brown is expected to keep his place in the heart of defence alongside Nemanja Vidic.

United captain Gary Neville said: 'We didn't convert our chances on Wednesday. The goalkeeper made a few good saves and some of our decision-making was poor.

'Usually we'd expect to score a goal in 96 minutes of football at Old Trafford but we didn't do that so that has to be disappointing.

'But we've got a few big games coming up starting at Portsmouth, so we have to move on.

'We may have had a lot of younger players out against Besiktas, but the result was still important and it was disappointing to lose – especially as it was at Old Trafford.

'We have a quick chance to put that right, though, at Portsmouth and will be going full pelt to do that.'