FERGIE PLAYS 'EXPERIENCE' CARD

Ferguson - baffled.

Sir Alex Ferguson has reacted with scorn to claims Chelsea will win the title this year thanks to the experience of new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Ferguson normally pays scant attention to such opinions but the Scot has been left puzzled at how a conclusion like that can be reached.

After all, he has just won his 10th Premier League title, boasts two Champions League wins on an impeccable CV and has been in the management game for 34 of his 66 years.

Scolari on the other hand, while guiding Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, has endured six barren years with a Portugal side many felt capable of landing a major international prize, ducked out of managing England and has never taken charge of a club side in Europe.

"I read that Scolari is more experienced than me," said Ferguson.

"What have I been doing for the last 34 years? I must have missed something or been asleep somewhere.

"They are saying because of Scolari's experience Chelsea are going to win the league. I do not understand that."

Nevertheless, it is a fact that while Chelsea are trying to spend £20million to get Robinho added to a squad that has seen Deco and Jose Bosingwa integrated into it earlier this summer, United have bought no-one.

In addition, a host of pre-season injuries leave Ferguson short on numbers for Sunday's Community Shield tussle with Portsmouth at Wembley.

Not that the United boss is too concerned. In the likes of Anderson, Nani and Carlos Tevez, Ferguson realises three of last season's major purchases were made with the future in mind.

And while Ryan Giggs will celebrate his 35th birthday in November and Paul Scholes and Gary Neville are only a year younger, he sees plenty of life there too.

"I have exactly the same squad as last season and I have to be confident it is not deteriorating, I cannot see how that can possibly be the case," said the Scot.

"I would have concerns if my team was full of players the same age as Ryan Giggs. But it is not.

"In people like Anderson, Nani and Tevez, we will see a lot of improvement.

"And the older ones have looked after themselves. Their concentration levels are still good and so is their desire.

"If anything, Paul Scholes' passing is the best it has ever been.

"It will not be easy. You expect Arsenal and Liverpool to improve and you would think Chelsea, with their experience, will be there.

"But I have to feel this team can defend its title."

Ferguson has no worries about United's ability and neither is he getting too stressed about the injuries and absences.

Even with Neville and Michael Carrick included, there will be enough significant figures missing at Wembley for Ferguson to offer Brazilian trio Rafael and Fabio Da Silva, plus Rodrigo Possedon, their first taste of a big-match atmosphere.

It means the meeting with Portsmouth, while a significant step up from their clash in Nigeria a fortnight ago, is nothing more than a glorified friendly building up to next weekend's opener with Newcastle.

"At this particular time, we are not in the best position fitness-wise but it doesn't concern me unduly," said Ferguson.

"There is a great quality in the squad and a great enthusiasm. A lot of them are exhilarated by winning the European Cup."

And, while Ferguson suggested he would not be available earlier in the week, he is now quietly optimistic Wayne Rooney will be fit to face the Magpies.

With Anderson at the Olympics, Nani suspended and Louis Saha injured, United could do with Rooney recovering from the virus he picked up in Africa.

"The medical reports from Wayne (show) he is clear of the virus. He has returned to training and hopefully we can get him ready for Newcastle," he added.