Michael Carrick's late goal calmed Manchester United's nerves and sealed a 2-0 win over Portsmouth that took them three points clear at the Premier League summit.
Having failed to capitalise on Wayne Rooney's ninth-minute opener, United were forced to survive a few worrying second-half moments before wrapping up victory.
And, not the for the first time, they had Paul Scholes to thank, marking his landmark 600th appearance with the superb pass that set up Carrick for the crucial second.
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