Sir Alex Ferguson has made the amazing claim that the team he expects to provide the stiffest challenge to his Manchester United side is Chelsea, not Liverpool or Arsenal.

The Manchester United manager says that Chelsea's signings have made him sit up and take notice of the Blues' threat to United's Premiership supremacy.

He also says that there was never any row over comments made by Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.

Houllier said that United's signings had ensured that there was unlikely to be much of a challenge in the FA Barclaycard Premiership this season. Ferguson was reported to have been upset at the Liverpool boss playing mind games but the United manager refuses to accept such an idea.

"I'm sure Gerard didn't say what he is supposed to have said. Maybe he was trying to defuse the enthusiasm on Merseyside."

He added: "I think the danger this year will be Chelsea. I think the signing of Emmanuel Petit was a good one.

"I can see a different shape to their side. They seem to have a lot of pace on the sides so they will be useful counter-attacking. They will also have a lot of pace up front."

Sir Alex Ferguson CBE