Fergie: Don't write off Blues
28 Sep 2007 - 15:23:15
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Chelsea cannot be written off in this year's title race, despite their recent turbulent spell.
United struck an early blow in the battle to win this year's Premier League crown after sealing a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.
However, the veteran Scot believes the Blues will come fighting back as the season progresses, despite the shock departure of manager Jose Mourinho and the appointment of Avram Grant in the build-up to the Old Trafford showdown.
"I don't think you can dismiss Chelsea," he said. "How could you with the players they have got?
"They played a strong team at Hull on Wednesday, probably because Avram Grant was keen to get a win under his belt.
"They got a good result and that will help him no end. You cannot exclude from the top four. As I said at the start of the season, one of those four will win it."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has revealed that several of the youngsters who disappointed during Tuesday's 2-0 Carling Cup defeat by Coventry City will be heading out on loan in the coming weeks.
"We looked at the League Cup as an avenue for these players to play in," he added.
"Now that's gone I think we'll have to review the situation with one or two of them going on loan, because they do need football.
"With (Gary) Neville and (Owen) Hargreaves coming back we've got a good strong squad. There'll have to be some that we have to keep.
"Gerard Pique was excellent on Wednesday. He was our best player along with Anderson. We'll probably keep Danny Simpson as he can play both full-back positions.
"But I'm maybe looking at the rest going on loan as they need to play football."
