Mourinho's Chelsea was stronger than Ancelotti's team: Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that Jose Mourinho's Chelsea team was stronger than Carlo Ancelotti's historic Double winners.

"Jose is an intelligent guy. Each time he speaks to the media, he galvanises his team. He has a tremendous affect on his players. The Chelsea of today have not rediscovered this unshakeable faith, even if they have won the title," News of The World quoted Ferguson, as saying.

"With Mourinho, I understood after two Chelsea title wins that I had to adapt my preparation for my team to be competitive earlier in the season.

"I could not allow myself to let Chelsea get away. The Mourinho challenge was one of intelligence, of confidence in one's self. I had to pick up this challenge," he added.

Ferguson's remarks comes after Mourinho, who led Inter Milan to a historic Treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League wins, belittled Ancelotti's achievements by saying Chelsea's 2010 title challengers were not a patch on those of his era.

"I'm happy Chelsea won the title, but please don't compare this Man United with my Man United. Don't compare this Arsenal with my Arsenal. My Arsenal was a team that won the league without defeat in 2003-04," Mourinho had said.

"Don't compare this Liverpool with my Liverpool. And don't compare this Premiership with my Premiership," he added.