Fergie warns United to beware old boy Sheringham

Sir Alex Ferguson has identified Manchester United old boy Teddy Sheringham as the man to watch as Portsmouth seek their first win at Old Trafford in nearly half a century this weekend.

At 37, Sheringham is one of the oldest outfield players still plying his trade in the Premiership.

But while Ferguson may joke that his former striker is "two years older than Santa," the Scot is well aware that his former striker's football brain is still as bright as it was when his injury time goal helped United win the European Cup four years ago.

"He never had to depend on pace, he had an economy of movement, his brain has always worked and that's why he's able to play at the age he's playing," the United manager said.

Offloaded by Spurs at the end of last season, Sheringham has confounded suggestions he was finished in the top flight with six goals in ten appearances for Portsmouth so far.

Ferguson believes the goals are only a small part of Sheringham's role in Portsmouth's encouraging start to their first season back in the top flight.

"Teddy's at the forefront of it all, he's the fulcrum of the team," Ferguson said. "So we'll have to keep an eye on that man."

Portsmouth have not won at Old Trafford since 1957, when the south coast club secured a memorable 3-0 victory over the Busby Babes, the outstanding United team that was to be decimated the following year in the Munich air disaster.

Their chances of securing a result on Saturday have probably not been helped by the fact that United are smarting from last weekend's shock defeat at home to Fulham.

"Fulham have certainly done us no favours, that's for sure," manager Harry Redknapp admitted.

But midfielder Steve Stone insists Portsmouth have no reason to be intimidated.

"We have been to Arsenal and done well there as well as at Manchester City and of course we beat Liverpool at Fratton Park," the former England international said.

"Okay, we lost at Newcastle last week but that has been the only blip all season. We are not going to be going up there daunted because we believe we have got quality players all over the pitch."

Ferguson will be back on the touchline on Saturday after serving his touchline ban but Redknapp will watch from the director's box as he completes his own two-match ban for abusing an official.

On the field, Portsmouth have no major injury worries while United will be without Paul Scholes (recovering from groin operation) but have club captain Roy Keane available again after being rested for the last two games.

Goalkeeper Tim Howard, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy are also expected to start after missing the midweek League Cup win over Leeds.

Although the championship appears to be shaping up as a three-horse race, Giggs believes Newcastle and Liverpool will force their way into the reckoning as winter descends.

"It is not just Arsenal and Chelsea we have to worry about," the Welsh winger said.

"The likes of Newcastle and Liverpool are capable of going on a run of 10-15 games unbeaten. They could so easily climb up the table."

Giggs is also confident his own team still have an extra gear. "The team generally is not firing on all cylinders," he said.

"We are playing quite well, and my season has gone OK. We realise that if we are there or thereabouts at the turn of the year then we have a great chance.

"We can definitely go up a gear. When the big games come that is when you see the lads respond."