Today is the "Premier League Curtain Raiser", in other words, it is the Community Shield match between Manchester United and Portsmouth.



I am really looking forward to todays match, it is when I really get excited about the new season. It will also be a change to have a different team to play against, normally Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal play each other but this time we have Portsmouth, who will be a strong opposition, especially now they have Peter Crouch playing alongside Jermain Defoe.



United are without some key players such as Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves and ofcourse- Cristiano Ronaldo. But there is some good news- Nani is fit, Michael Carrick and Gary Neville have travelled. Neville has had a slight injury and Carrick has had the same virus that Rooney has had.

Sir Alex Ferguson

"It's always a game we never quite use as a do-or-die thing, we use it as a barometer for fitness,"
"At this particular time, we are not in the best position fitness-wise but it doesn't concern me unduly.
"There is a great quality in the squad and a great enthusiasm. A lot of them are exhilarated by winning the European Cup last season."

"They (Carrick and Neville) need some minutes on the clock before the start of the season,"

"The Community Shield is a prestigious match but I have used players in it who were not quite fit and we are more or less in the same situation again."

"Portsmouth are always a difficult team to play against,"
"They had a great season last year and now Harry [Redknapp] has brought Crouch into the squad, the partnership of Crouch and Defoe will be a handful for anyone now but hopefully we can cope with that."
"Sunday is going to be a really difficult match, but we will be fit and ready and hopefully we will give them a good game," said the England striker. "It's the first game of the season and all the new signings are out."

Tony Adams

"Alex? He's outstanding. The way he consistently produces great teams and has developed players as well as bought them, I have the utmost respect for him,"
"He is a great man at a great club but there is just something about him and them that I love beating.
"If I'm honest, I think I love beating them more than I would love beating even Arsenal. It's just something that's there - just like Alex always wants to beat Liverpool, maybe. "