Money alone can't guarantee title, says Fergie

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has re-ignited the feud between himself and new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Ferguson was involved in a furious spat with Mourinho following FC Porto’s Champions League win over United last March when the Red Devils boss refused to shake his opposite number’s hand, claiming his team had cheated their way to victory.

Mourinho won the battle when Costinha scored the last-minute winner at Old Trafford that earned his side a place in the last eight en-route to eventually lifting the trophy with a 3-0 defeat of Monaco.

The pair will resume their rivalry on the opening weekend of the campaign when United head to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea side reinforced by more big-money buys in the form of Didier Drogba, Peter Cech and Arjen Robben, a one-time target of Ferguson’s.

However, while Ferguson accepts Chelsea will be among the major challengers for the title again this term, he doesn’t believe Roman Abramovich’s millions will automatically see them lift the championship for the first time since 1955.

“Money isn’t the issue,” he smiled. “Picking the right players is the issue.

“It could be a very interesting season because Chelsea have a new manager, as have Liverpool, while myself and Arsene Wenger are becoming the old fuddy-duddies of the league.

“I do see improvement in teams like Tottenham but essentially ourselves, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will be the ones challenging.”