Mind game master , Sir Alex Ferguson !
Ferguson lays down title gauntletSir Alex Ferguson has warned rival Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho his Manchester United side are ready to wrestle the title back to Old Trafford.
United finished third and 18 points behind Chelsea last season.
But Ferguson said: "Arsenal went through a season not losing and Chelsea lost only one game last season. But this club is ready to challenge them.
"The bar might have been raised but there is still nothing between our side and Chelsea's."
He added: "This club is used to challenges," he said. "We have always been faced with them, always accepted them and come through.
"We're Champion , everyone wants to beat the Champions ! "
"And we are looking forward to this challenge. "
"There is no doubt that in the last three years the standard of the Premiership has increased.
"Chelsea had an unusual season last time and I think they will find that difficult to replicate.
"Last season our preparation was hampered - this time it will not be.
Mourinho is expecting a tougher Premiership challenge after winning the title in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
"The other teams are not happy because they lost," he said. "They have the quality and conditions to improve and have set new targets.
"We are the champions and everyone wants to beat us.
"For example Sir Alex Ferguson is saying Manchester United cannot lose a game.
"I've seen quotes from players like Ryan Giggs and Steven Gerrard saying how much they want to win and this makes it difficult for us."