Sulley Muntari entered Portsmouth folklore by securing a famous victory at Old Trafford and a place in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The Ghana midfielder ended United’s dream of winning the treble for the first time in nine years.

Muntari’s spot-kick 13 minutes from time proved decisive and ended years of hurt at the ground for Portsmouth.

The last time Pompey won here was in 1957, and they have endured seven successive defeats the last one as late as January.

United will wonder how they lost this match which they finished with 10 men, after replacement goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was sent off for bringing down substitute Milan Baros.

They dominated possession and almost went ahead in the fifth minute when Paul Scholes got on the end of a free-kick from Nani only to head wide at the near post.

Cristiano Ronaldo thought he had won a penalty a minute later when he was bundled over by Sylvain Distin, but referee Martin Atkinson allowed play to continue.

Portsmouth were keeping a close eye on Ronaldo, and Papa Bouba Diop was booked for dragging his opponent back in the 10th minute.

The visitors broke out of their slumber six minutes later, and Niko Kranjcar tested goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar from distance.

United almost took the lead in the 19th minute when Carlos Tevez got clear, after Wayne Rooney latched on to a pass from Wes Brown.

But the Argentinian striker saw his effort superbly cleared off the line by Glen Johnson.

United kept up the pressure, and Scholes turned quickly in the 28th minute but saw his effort blocked by Portsmouth captain Sol Campbell.

Tevez worked an opening for himself four minutes later and fired in a shot that David James did well to parry.

Lassana Diarra was then booked for a challenge on Ronaldo as United maintained the momentum.

Nani tried to pick out Rooney, but Distin was alert to the danger and made a timely interception in the 41st minute.