Manager Harry Redknapp was so short of midfield options he played new centre-back Younes Kaboul there against Chelsea and the £5m Frenchman looked out of his depth.

Tough-tackling Scottish international Hughes has always been only a squad player at Fratton Park but featured in notable successes against United last season – as a substitute in the 1-1 home draw last August when his clash with Ronaldo led to the Portuguese star being sent off, and again when Pompey clung on for a shock 1-0 FA Cup victory at Old Trafford in March.

But Redknapp has had to work without David James, Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe, all on England duty, while strikers Kanu (ankle) and David Nugent (groin) and defender Linvoy Primus (groin) are still struggling for fitness.

With Pompey’s attempts to buy more new players in the August transfer window restricted to loans and free transfers by a freeze on spending, Redknapp was looking for bargains at last night’s 2-2 draw between South Africa and Australia at QPR’s Loftus Road ground.