Scolari Refuses to Be Drawn Into Ferguson's Mind Games

Luiz Felipe Scolari has offered the first indication that he will not be easily unsettled by Sir Alex Ferguson's penchant for mind games by shrugging off suggestions from the Manchester United manager that he may struggle to cope under the pressure built up by Jose Mourinho's successes at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson had claimed earlier this week that "there is no one who can improve upon [Mourinho's] record really", adding "I don't know how far that team has got to go" as he surveyed the challenge to come from Chelsea from United's pre-season tour in South Africa.

The Scot had stressed that he was not suggesting the Londoners were "old" but appeared to question whether Scolari would be able to raise the current squad to new heights as he attempts to overthrow the reigning European and Premier League champions.

Scolari refused to be drawn on Ferguson's comments directly after seeing his new team overcome weak opposition to win his first match in charge by 4-0 against the Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical yesterday.

Yet, when asked whether Chelsea's experience could help them reclaim the title in the year ahead, the Brazilian said: "I think that I have some players with experience and I have some young boys in my team, but I feel with the blend that we have, yes, we have the experience to win the Premier League.

"I do not feel under any more pressure here than I have at any of the teams I have coached from around the world. It's normal, you know. Normal. For me, it's not different at Chelsea from the times I was coaching other club sides or the national teams of Brazil or Portugal. No difference at all."

Frank Lampard seems no nearer to signing a new long-term contract at the club, with Chelsea insistent that they will not bow to his demands and offer him a five-year deal. The chances of the 30-year-old leaving for Internazionale to be reunited with Mourinho this summer are rapidly receding, though, with some form of compromise likely - probably a four-year deal with an option for a further season.