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Ferguson hits pressure point by returning fire on rival

Sir Alex Ferguson claims that José Mourinho’s dig at Manchester United’s summer spending spree proves his great rival is feeling the heat at Chelsea.

The champions have spent more than £50 million on Owen Hargreaves, Anderson and Nani since the end of last season, and that will rise should Carlos Tévez, the West Ham United striker, move to Old Trafford on a two-year loan deal thought likely to cost United about £6 million.

Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, has said that United’s transfer activity will heap more pressure on them to deliver silverware, but Ferguson has hit back by claiming that the only man feeling the pressure is Mourinho.

“It was an amazing statement, actually — I don’t think he knows I’ve been here for 20 years,” Ferguson said. “It’s great. Maybe he’s trying to transfer some pressure because of the fact that he is under pressure himself. I don’t know, but I thought it was quite funny.”

United have left their rivals way behind with their heavy investment this summer — only Liverpool have attempted to match them by spending almost £40 million on Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel. Chelsea have spent £13 million on Florent Malouda, the Lyons winger, but Tal Ben Haim, Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro have arrived at Stamford Bridge on free transfers.

Arsenal have spent £8 million on Eduardo da Silva, the Croatia striker, although the sale of Thierry Henry for £16.2 million has left them lacking their usual goal threat. Ferguson, however, claims that Arsãne Wenger, the Arsenal manager, was right to let the France striker leave the Emirates Stadium for Barcelona.

“Arsenal are still a big threat and they’ll be in the top four, even without Thierry Henry,” Ferguson said. “I just think it was time for him to go and I think Arsãne knew that. I believe they will be better.”