Chelsea are in a financial league of their own, admits Ferguson

The United manager's position was made clear this summer when, in contrast to a further £53m spent at Stamford Bridge, only Edwin van der Sar, Park Ji-Sung and Ben Foster were added to a team that finished 18 points adrift of Jose Mourinho's men last season. Neither Ferguson, Queiroz or any United player have ever used this financial divide as an excuse for failing to keep pace with Mourinho for the past 15 months, preferring instead to proclaim their credentials as champions once injury problems ease and form returns.

Such optimism has been fuelled by suggestions that Malcolm Glazer will release significant funds when the transfer window reopens on 1 January, with Bayern Munich's outstanding midfielder Michael Ballack a target. Even so, Ferguson has conceded there will be no point pursuing players on Chelsea's agenda, bankrolled by Glazer or not.

"I do not think we would even think about competing with Chelsea," said Ferguson. "If Chelsea go for a player we are interested in, we are not going to beat them, so there is no pointunless, like Park Ji-sung, they are of a mind to join United. But any young player wanting to progress his career should think seriously about joining us because, as our record proves, we do give them a chance."

As last night's team to face Barnet in the Carling Cup emphasised, Ferguson has attracted teenage talent from around the world in attempt to counter-attack Abramovich's wealth even though his most successful young imports, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, cost a combined £40m. His efforts to reconstruct United's ageing midfield have been regularly thwarted by Chelsea, with Arjen Robben, Damien Duff and Michael Essien all snubbing Old Trafford. With John Obi Mikel's future still uncertain following interest from the champions, Ferguson's admission paints a sobering future for the club's faithful.