WHO YOU TRYING TO KID?

Alex Ferguson insists that Manchester United remain as good as Chelsea - despite trailing the double Premiership champions for the past two seasons.

Fergie made the extraordinary claim despite United finishing eight points behind Chelsea last term and a staggering 18 behind the previous year.

A humiliating 3-0 defeat for United at Stamford Bridge, which saw Chelsea clinch the title, offered conclusive proof Jose Mourinho's side has usurped them as the country's dominant team.

"We are as good as Chelsea, no question. Our win in November showed if you prepare properly and get at them, you can get a result. But they're ruthless in defence and that was the difference last season."

So basically: United are as good as Chelsea. But, erm, not in defence. Which doesn't really count, like.

Meanwhile, whilst Chelsea have signed Michael Ballack, Salomon Kalou and Andriy Shevchenko, Fergie's desperate to point out he's still quite adept in the transfer market:

"Ji-sung Park has been a revelation. And we've been proved 100 per cent correct in our signing of van der Sar, in terms of his experience, personality, and his winning mentality.

"Without doubt those two signings have improved the team."