Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo feels that the 2007/2008 campaign will 'not be a good season' for Chelsea.
"Chelsea without Mourinho, that's a completely different team," he told Austrian newspaper Heute.
"You can never write Chelsea off, but I have a feeling that this will not be a good season for them."
Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez have made FIFA's shortlist for the World Player of the Year award.
AC Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka is being touted as the favourite to win the prestigious accolade, although he faces stiff competition, particularly from the likes of United's very own Cristiano Ronaldo, who was instrumental in the Reds' title success last season.
Carlos Tevez and Patrice Evra have warned Arsenal not to get too excited about their position at the top of the table.
"Arsenal are the leaders in the table but Manchester United should be favourites for the title and the Champions League," Tevez told the Mirror
"I think we will show that and prove it to our opponents when we play them in the key matches this season.
John O'Shea feels that, in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, United are blessed with Europe's finest central defensive partnership.
The Reds' defence has made a rock-solid start to the season, conceding just two goals in eight Premier League games, and O'Shea feels Vidic and Ferdinand have been central to that record.
Spanish defender Gerard Pique hopes to capitalise on his recent United performances by commanding more regular action in the first-team.
The 20-year-old former Barcelona youngster has played in two of United's last four matches.
Louis Saha will miss France's Euro 2008 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Lithuania with a knee injury.
The United striker was called up for his country's Group B double-header, but left the French training camp in Clairefontaine on Tuesday, and the French Football Federation confirmed he will not be replaced in the squad.
United defender Wes Brown will miss England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia on Saturday with a knee injury.
The versatile defender sat out United's wins over Roma and Wigan after sustaining the knock at Birmingham, but still joined up with Steve McClaren's side, however, with a view to playing at Wembley.
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick will be out of action for up to six weeks with a fractured right elbow.
The injury also means the 26-year-old will miss England's crucial upcoming Euro 2008 qualifying games against Estonia and Russia.
He suffered the injury during the latter stages of United's Champions League victory over Roma on Tuesday.
Roy Keane aims to bring Manchester United defenders Jonny Evans and Danny Simpson back to Sunderland in the January transfer window.
Both enjoyed a successful spell last season as Keane guided the Black Cats back to the Premier League.
Keane said: "If I thought there was an opportunity to bring Jonny to Sunderland, we would consider it.
Manchester United defender Gary Neville is poised to make his long-awaited return from injury when he plays for the reserves on Thursday.
Neville has been out since March with calf and ankle problems but he resumed training late last month.
Boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "We are hoping to use Gary against Liverpool reserves this week. That's the plan.