Ferguson delighted as United go clear

Sir Alex Ferguson saw his Manchester United side stride three points clear at the Premiership summit following their 3-0 win over Portsmouth, then praised their professionalism for not turning his 20th anniversary into a circus.

Ferguson opted not to mark two decades in the Old Trafford hotseat with an on-pitch celebration and instead will celebrate with a lunch in his honour on Monday.

"Twenty years is a great landmark for me," he said. "I don't know where the years have gone. There have been some exciting times but I have to look forward. That is what this club has always done and what the players have to do now. They were good because they didn't let it become a carnival or a circus."

He added: "It was an excellent performance and there is a spirit and belief in the dressing-room that tells me we will be having a real go for trophies this year."

United were never in trouble once they had opened up a two-goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Louis Saha powered home the Red Devils' first Premiership penalty of the campaign after Dejan Stefanovic had bundled Wayne Rooney over, then Cristiano Ronaldo sent a ferocious free-kick flying into the net.

Only the heroics of Pompey goalkeeper David James kept United at bay until Nemanja Vidic rose to power home Gary Neville's cross midway through the second half.

With nine wins from their opening 11 games, it is becoming increasingly obvious United will be the only side capable of challenging Chelsea's domestic supremacy this term.

And, while some may argue Ferguson's squad is still not strong enough to maintain their current form throughout the season, the United boss is getting increasingly confident his 20th year at the club will be a successful one.

"We have had a fantastic start," he said. "We needed it because Chelsea have set the benchmark for the last two seasons. They have started off really well and it has helped them to win the league."