Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has warned Manchester United that his team will bounce back to put up a strong performance in the second half of the season.

"The Special One", as Mourinho is sometimes referred to, said that his team is missing a lot of key players and with them expected to return sooner, the real battle for the title begins now.

"We're in a great position. The first half of the season is over. We've played 10 matches away, nine at home, we've played at Old Trafford and the difference is two points. When John Terry, Joe Cole and Petr Cech are back in the team, this is more important than spending money on new players. So for the second part of the season, I feel we can be much stronger", he added.

With Manchester United winning its game against Aston Villa on Saturday, the Red Devils are at the top of the table at Christmas, a turnaround from last two seasons when they had to chase Chelsea. Though the difference between the two teams is just 2 points, Sir Alex Ferguson is confident that his team will travel the distance, considering the fact that United start showing their real potential after Christmas.

Sir Alex took a dig at Mourinho saying that as he has apologized to Everton striker Andy Johnson, he should do it once again as his boast of Chelsea being at the top of the table at Christmas has turned false. "Perhaps we shouldn't believe Jose Mourinho. He said Chelsea would be top at Christmas and they are not. He has to apologize after lying about an Everton player, perhaps he should apologize again now," Ferguson said.

Ferguson added that not only Manchester United fans, but all the football lovers across the country want United to beat Chelsea to the title. "The whole country wants us to win the Premiership. It's not because Chelsea have had the kind of success we have had in the past. Maybe there are other factors associated with Chelsea that disturb people. Maybe that's why we are getting a lot of support from around the country", he said.