In July 2008, Campbell was selected for the pre-season tour of South Africa with the Manchester United first team, and scored the team's fourth goal in a 4–0 win over Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the 2008 Vodacom Challenge. He also scored the winning goal in Ole Gunnar Solskjær's testimonial match against Espanyol on 2 August 2008. After the match, United manager Alex Ferguson indicated that Campbell would remain at the club for the duration of the season, stating "Fraizer's future is here". Campbell earned his first winner's medal when he came on as a substitute in United's penalty shoot-out win over Portsmouth in the 2008 FA Community Shield. On 17 August 2008, Campbell started alongside Wayne Rooney for the opening match of the season in a 1–1 draw against Newcastle United.