Andre Villas-Boas warns Manchester United his Chelsea oldies can be winners again

17 September 2011 00:09
Andre Villas-Boas sprang to defend his senior players as he prepared for the biggest test of his short Chelsea career at Manchester United on Sunday. [LNB]The Portuguese was reacting to comments from United coach Rene Meulensteen, who said Chelsea were 'too old' to win the title. [LNB] No olds barred: Andre Villas-Boas takes an active role in training at Chelsea[LNB]As 33-year-old Villas-Boas prepared to pit his wits against the Barclays Premier League's wiliest boss in Sir Alex Ferguson, 69, he claimed Meulensteen must have been misquoted and snapped back at suggestions that Ferguson offered young players greater opportunities, pointing to United veteran Ryan Giggs. [LNB]'It's just the way our squad is built,' said Villas-Boas. 'I have no problem with age. It is competence we are looking for. [LNB]'At 37, Ryan Giggs is the oldest Champions League scorer, beating his own record and what is the difference? Why the different treatment? [LNB]'I also have competence in my older players, in Didier Drogba, in Nicolas Anelka.' [LNB] Capped off with a smile: Sir Alex Ferguson watches training[LNB]Earlier this month, Dutchman Meulensteen seemed to write off Chelsea's chances of winning the title. 'Their squad is too old and their tempo is not high enough to win the Premier League,' said United's first-team coach. 'They have made just one major signing in Juan Mata.' [LNB]Villas-Boas believes Meulensteen must have been misquoted and said: 'I'd find it strange Rene would say something like that when you see the importance of Van der Sar, Giggs and Scholes. [LNB]'I really wouldn't say the Manchester United assistant manager would speak like that when he had people of that age in his group. It might just have been taken out of context.'[LNB]Villas-Boas was supported by none other than Wayne Rooney, who believes Chelsea will push the champions hard. The United striker said: 'They've been challenging us hard for the title for the past eight years now and won it three times. I'm sure they'll challenge again this season.[LNB]'When you have a spine of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Petr Cech, that's something special. They're all winners.'[LNB]Age has been a touchy subject at Stamford Bridge since Ferguson declared, three years ago, that there was no room for improvement in Chelsea's squad because the best players were past their prime. [LNB]Earlier this week, Villas-Boas launched an investigation after Fernando Torres criticised his team for being 'old' and 'slow'. [LNB] Age concern: United coach Rene Meulensteen (right) has claimed that Chelsea are too old to win the title[LNB]Chelsea's transfer policy has focused onyounger signings since Roman Abramovich eased the purse-strings in January and 30-somethings John Terry, Frank Lampard and Anelka were all left out against Bayer Leverkusen, although Villas-Boas denied this was to give them a rest. [LNB]'It is not a question of rotating to rest but judging opportunities,' said Chelsea's manager. 'This approach seems wiser to me than the alternative, which is to repeat a starting XI until you get injuries or suspensions.' [LNB]United have won 17 successive home games in the league, not dropping points at Old Trafford since a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion last October. [LNB] Vintage: Ryan Giggs scores in the Champions League at the age of 37[LNB]Villas-Boas has not lost a league game since April 2010, when his Academica team were beaten by Benfica. He was unbeaten last season at Porto but something has to give tomorrow. [LNB]'Whatever happens in the game is not decisive,' said Villas-Boas. 'It's the fifth game of the season and it's still early. [LNB]'See how many points United were behind Newcastle, years ago, or Chelsea were behind last season.'[LNB] Abramovich would be mad to judge me over United result, says Villas-Boas He's just like me... Fergie praises Villas-Boas ahead of Old Trafford showdownFergie: Chelsea are the dark horses for the title... United boss wary of Blues threat Man United v CHELSEA: Drogba misses key clash with concussionMAN UNITED v Chelsea: No new worries for Ferguson but Vidic still out All the latest Chelsea news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail