United still see Gunners as main rivals

MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson does not think Chelsea will win the Premiership – but is far from writing off their chances.

Claudio Ranieri's Blues have slipped off the pace in the last month but at four points behind second-placed United and six behind leaders Arsenal, they remain a threat.

Ferguson expects another tight tussle with the unbeaten Gunners for the championship but claims he would welcome the involvement of Chelsea in the title race.

Ferguson said yesterday: "The two of us will be there, whether Chelsea can come back into it I think they can.

"We want three in it, we would like five. It would make for exciting times.

"Over the first half of the season Arsenal and ourselves have probably been in the best form ever, so therefore (Chelsea's involvement) has served as a great fillip to us and probably Arsenal too."

Chelsea spent more than £100million on building their squad last summer and have been trying to prise Scott Parker away from Charlton since the current transfer window opened.

Ferguson has been impressed with their recruitment but feels it could be too soon to expect them to win the title this season.

Asked if Chelsea can win the league after spending so much, Ferguson said: "Probably not in the first season but they are certainly one to keep an eye on.

"From their point of view you have to say well done. When people have that kind of money there is no saying where it can end.

"They got the break with a few early results in their favour. That settled them quicker than normally they would have and gave Claudio Ranieri assurance," he said.

"They've had a bit of a blip and are going through that period of getting back on track again."

Meanwhile, Chelsea were criticised yesterday by Charlton chairman Martin Simons over the pursuit of Parker.

Simons has declared he is making a stand against billionaire owner Roman Abramovich following two unsuccessful bids for the talented midfielder.

The Addicks chairman insisted: "I say 'Get lost Abramovich' and I think I speak for the rest of football. Somebody has to make a stand. We don't want Chelsea's money and we don't want the gap between the top three and the rest to get wider."

That is not to say Chelsea will be deterred from increasing their £110 million investment under Abramovich so far, with goalkeeper Petr Cech seemingly on his way to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Blues have also been linked with a move to wrestle PSV Eindhoven forward Arjen Robben from the apparent clutches of Manchester United. PSV chairman Harry van Raay said "We talked about other things as well, but it is correct that Chelsea have asked us for Robben".

Chairman Ken Bates has pointed to the positive effect of the club's FA Cup run, not only on tomorrow's hosts Scarborough but also on third-round opponents Watford.

Both clubs will have benefited to the tune of £265,000 for live television coverage of the ties, quite apart from gate receipts and other benefits.

"Including the TV money, Watford must have earned more than £750,000 out of the tie which will be a great contribution towards their aim of buying back their ground," said the Chelsea chairman.

"With their win bonus from the third round and the TV appearance money, Scarborough will be another smaller club who will also benefit from Chelsea's current profile."

The cup tie at Scarborough is being relished by Chelsea, even though they have everything to lose in their first game against a non-League side since the First World War.

Blues manager Claudio Ranieri said: "I know it's a good place, and we are all looking forward to the match. They are a non-League club, and that doesn't happen in Italy because the rules are different.

"It will be a new experience for me. It will be unbelievable," he added.