Scolari shrugs off Fergie comments

8:35pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari refused to be drawn into a pre-season war of words with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson following comments the Brazilian's charges are too old to mount a title challenge.

Ferguson insisted he is unconcerned by Chelsea's credentials to challenge United for the Premier League crown this season and pointed towards Arsenal and Liverpool as his side's rivals.

But after watching his new side open their pre-season tour of Asia and Russia with a comfortable 4-0 win over Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical on Wednesday, Scolari refused to use his first opportunity to retaliate.

"I will not answer this question. This is not a question for me," said the former Portugal coach.

"I think I have a lot of experienced players and also some young boys in my team but I feel we have experience for the Premier League or whatever league."

Salomon Kalou, Frank Lampard, Argentinian teenager Franco Di Santo and Shaun Wright-Phillips all scored as Chelsea eased to victory in the southern Chinese city.

"I think it is normal for a first game," added Scolari. "The players have trained well for the last two weeks, more fitness than technical training."

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