United win by 3-1 after a penalty shoot out
The FA Community Shield sponsored by McDonald's 2008
3pm, Sunday 10 August 2008
Wembley Stadium
Live on Setanta, highlights on ITV
Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Three Lions star Rio Ferdinand and described him as the 'best centre-back in the world' following an assured performance in the Community Shield against Portsmouth.
England defender Ferdinand helped United with the Shield on penalties after drawing 0-0 against Harry Redknapp's Pompey side at Wembley - and his display caught Ferguson's eye.
The Old Trafford boss said: "I thought Rio gave an exemplary display of centre-back play. I don't think he made one foul in the whole game.
"He intercepted every ball that came towards him, he broke out of defence so many times with comfort. It was an abosolutely magnificent centre-back performance.
"On that form I think he's approaching being the best centre-back in the world by far. He's an absolutley magnificent player."
Ferguson's praise is especially encouraging for Ferdinand as he awaits the announcment of the first England squad of the 2008-9 season.
England face the Czech Republic in a crucial friendly at Wembley on 20 August with Manager Fabio Capello expected to name his permanent Captain ahead of the game.
Ferguson said: "Rio is getting to that stage, he's 30 years of age now, where he's got experience plus potential - and the potential has been filled in a big way."
The performance of United captain Gary Neville at right-back against Portsmouth - in his first start since March 2007 because of injury - was also a positive note for England boss Capello, who was watching from the stands.
Ferguson added: "We gave him the right number of minutes today. When you think Neville has been out for the length of time he has the way he came back is remarkable. He's a remarkable man. His determination, his quality, his game. Absolutley superb."
Teams
Manchester United
1 Edwin Van Der Sar, 2 Gary Neville (c) (6 Wes Brown, 67) 3 Patrice Evra, 5 Rio Ferdinand, 15 Nemanja Vidic, 24 Darren Fletcher, 18 Paul Scholes, 22 John O'Shea (16 Michael Carrick, 67) 17 Nani (Fraizer Campbell, 79) 11 Ryan Giggs, 32 Carlos Tevez
Substitutes
29 Tomasz Kuszczak, 23 Jonny Evans, 21 Rafael Da Silva, 34 Rodrigo Possebon
Portsmouth
1 David James, 23 Sol Campbell (c), 15 Sylvain Distin, 5 Glen Johnson, 6 Lassana Diarra, 19 Niko Kranjcar (17 John Utaka, 60), 30 Pedro Mendes (18 Arnold Mvuemba, 75) 8 Papa Boupa Diop, 7 Hermann Hreidarsson (4 Lauren, 79) 14 Jermain Defoe, 9 Peter Crouch
Substitutes
21 Jamie Ashdown, 26 Ben Sahar, 20 Martin Cranie, 32 Djimi Traore
Referee
Peter Walton (Northamptonshire FA)
Team colours
Manchester United Red shirts, White shorts, White socks
Goalkeeper Yellow shirt, Black shorts, Yellow socks
Portsmouth Blue shirts, Blue shorts, Blue socks
Goalkeeper Grey shirt, Grey shorts, Grey socks
Officials
Referee Peter Walton (Northamptonshire FA)
Assistants David Richardson (West Riding FA) and Ian Gosling (Kent FA)
Fourth Official Andre Marriner (Birmingham FA)
Attendance: 84,808
