Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant Carlos Queiroz have both condemned Cristiano Ronaldo for allowing himself to be provoked into the rush of blood that has brought him an automatic three-match ban - including Manchester United's derby clash with City on Sunday.
It means United face the Manchester derby without Ronaldo - who also sits out games against Sunderland and Tottenham - Wayne Rooney - out for two months with a broken foot - and four points behind title rivals Chelsea.
'The referee was right there and Ronaldo lost his temper. You cannot let that happen.'
United drew 0-0 at home to Reading on Saturday and at City will be chasing their first win in six competitive games - not counting the Community Shield clash which they won on penalties.
They are still also unbeaten this season, of course, as are Pompey, although if anything rival boss Harry Redknapp faces even bigger personnel problems than Ferguson.
'But what a fantastic performance. United are a top, top team and any point you get off them is a bonus point.
Carlos Tevez made his United debut - watched by his controversial agent Kia Joorabchian - the Iranian businessman whose conflict with West Ham over the player's ownership caused such an upheaval in the Premier League.
And when he set up a sweet scoring strike for Paul Scholes in the 15th minute it seemed the prelude to a strolling United triumph.
But Pompey showed the pluck and resistance which has brought them three victories in four of United's previous visits to Fratton Park.
Pompey poached a 53rd minute equaliser when Benjani, the striker with a reputation for not scoring, notched his second goal in two games with a bullet header.
They still had to endure breathtaking near-misses by Tevez and Nemanja Vidic before the fiery finale, and with new £6 million striker David Nugent missing a couple of chances an initially tepid clash turned into a memorable night.
