Season's preview of war of words

Chelsea v Manchester Utd: Jose Mourinho last night scoffed at suggestions of an injury crisis at Manchester United. Chelsea's manager insists Alex Ferguson's resources can sustain the loss of any number of his star players.

Ferguson requested extra funds for a stop-gap signing after being left with only one fit striker, Alan Smith, for tomorrow's opener at Chelsea.

Mourinho, however, is unimpressed: "Do they have 11 players? You can say they have some injured players like every team," he said. "If Harry Redknapp has five out (at Portsmouth), it's a big problem. But if United, Arsenal or us have some out, you have to cope with it.

"I can understand if Mr Ferguson is unhappy because he has not Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy or Louis Saha, but I'm not happy because I don't have Arjen Robben or Tiago Mendes. That's life."

Mourinho remains confident that, whatever tomorrow's result, Chelsea can win their first title since 1955. However, in spite of more than £200 million transfer investment over the past year and Mourinho's reputation as the Champions League-winning coach, he understands that the rigours of a Premiership season predicate that no one can expect to land the prize.

"I can't say we will win 100 per cent. I wouldn't say a stupid thing like we will win the championship, but I have no doubt we can. In a top league with some top teams and especially those with the same objective as us, you need to be a really strong team.

"Sometimes you can do well, work well, choose well and have a good team with experience but despite that end the season with one point less than someone else."

Chelsea have spent more in just over 12 months than Ferguson has done in 18 years at Old Trafford.

"Mourinho has come in at the top level with a good benefactor in (Roman) Abramovich," said Ferguson. "When I first came I didn't have any money. I always remember (the then chairman) Martin Edwards telling me we needed to raise some season-ticket money if we were going to sign someone.

"The only pressure he (Mourinho) is under, is showing his judgment was right in terms of the players he has brought in. Nobody can compete with them financially and we don't even consider it - now every club would say the same.

"But we have got good foundations here. Chelsea are a big club and they want to get as big as Manchester United."

Dutch winger Robben is out of tomorrow's game with a foot problem while Mendes, the Portuguese midfielder is also a new signing, has a groin injury. Defender Robert Huth cannot line-up for Chelsea as he is suspended following his sending-off at Old Trafford in May. Adrian Mutu, Wayne Bridge, Joe Cole and Alexei Smertin have all returned to full training.

Darren Fletcher's suspension means that nine senior United players will be missing . They are Saha, van Nistelrooy, Kleberson, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Wes Brown who are all injured, Fletcher and Rio Ferdinand who are suspended, as well as Ronaldo and Gabriel Heinze who are playing in the Olympics. Liam Miller is likely to replace Fletcher in midfield.