PORTSMOUTH (AFP) - AVRAM Grant begins his Portsmouth managerial career in the dug-out opposite Sir Alex Ferguson on Saturday, 18 months after ending his Chelsea reign with defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League final.

Grant led Chelsea to within touching distance of lifting the European Cup for the first time in their history before John Terry's missed penalty condemned the Israeli to a heartbreaking shootout defeat in Moscow.

By a quirk of fate Grant has the opportunity to gain his revenge when the Premier League champions travel to Fratton Park after agreeing to succeed the sacked Paul Hart as Portsmouth manager.

Portsmouth striker Kanu is backing Grant to mastermind a famous victory. The Nigerian international said: 'It does not matter who we play if we believe we can win, we can.

'We have got good players who are experienced and know what it takes to dig ourselves out of trouble. 'We have to keep positive and keep working hard. We can see we are improving in every aspect of the game, which is good.

'We are going to give Manchester United a good game and who knows, maybe we can come out with three points.'

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