Tough times ahead for United says Mourinho

LONDON, Nov 27 (Reuters) Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Manchester United face a tough time ahead in the title race after having to settle for a 1-1 draw with the champions.

Though the points were shared yesterday at Old Trafford, Mourinho saw the result as a setback for Alex Ferguson's Premier League leaders and their three-point advantage over Chelsea.

''The result is fair and positive for us,'' Mourinho told reporters.

''We played away, we kept the distance and we know that in the second period of the season United have to go to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool --- so they will have a difficult time.

''I think we can go all the way. I don't know (if we will) but we are ready.'' Chelsea have certainly been ready in the past two seasons under their charismatic Portuguese coach. His well drilled team have won the title on both occasions with relative ease after building up substantial leads.

Yet Mourinho is not surprised by the prospect of a grittier battle to the finish this time around and dismissed a widely held belief that the English top-flight is already a two-horse race.

''For me, what we did last season with a 10, 12, 14 or 15-point difference was the surprise,'' he said.

''To go until the end of the season with one to six points difference, maximum, that's the reality of the Premiership.'' Arsenal's 3-1 weekend defeat at Bolton Wanderers, now third in the table, has left Arsene Wenger's erratic side 13 points adrift of United in sixth place. Fellow pre-season hopefuls Liverpool are a point further back in ninth.

Yet Mourinho said: ''I think it's too early for a two-way fight.

''Arsenal can come up and fight with us and Liverpool have a fantastic home record, so if they improve away they can also close the gap.'' FERGUSON'S HOPE Whether or not Mourinho was just showing an acute sense of diplomacy, Chelsea can certainly expect their toughest season since he took over in 2004.

United, along with their combative Scottish manager, have no intention of throwing in the towel just yet.

''I think it's going to be nip and tuck,'' Ferguson told MUTV.

''There won't be a lot in it. Hopefully we can do it.

''The one thing I've said all along is we've given ourselves an outstanding chance this season. The title is a long way to go, mistakes can be made. March and April are always the testing months.'' April 14 could be a particularly testing afternoon as United and Chelsea are due to meet again at Stamford Bridge, unless either side are involved in the FA Cup semi-finals.

REUTERS AY BD1706