Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has responded to Sir Alex Ferguson’s claim that money does not buy titles – by reminding him of Porto’s win over Manchester United.

Ferguson said Chelsea would not be able to buy the Premiership and Mourinho, in charge of Porto last term, said: “I agree money doesn’t buy points.

“If you go back a few months in the Champions League, Porto, with 10% of United’s budget, beat them.

“So he’s absolutely correct. Money buys players but not a team.”

“It’s really difficult, because people think we’re spending money the others aren’t spending.

“Arsenal have worked with their manager for seven years, Manchester United for 18 years and me for 18 days, so it’s a big difficulty.

“But I’ve told the players we must fight every match to win these things.”