Sir Alex Ferguson has taunted Jose Mourinho by calling on the Chelsea boss to apologise for claiming the Blues would top the Premiership at Christmas.
Mourinho had to apologise for comments about Everton striker Andrew Johnson.

United boss Ferguson, whose side head the table, said: "He has to apologise after lying about an Everton player, perhaps he should apologise again now.

"Perhaps we shouldn't believe Jose Mourinho. He said Chelsea would be top at Christmas and they are not."

Manchester United are two points clear of Chelsea after a comfortable 3-0 over Aston Villa on Saturday, while the Blues edged out Wigan 3-2..

United were without Michael Carrick because of an ankle injury but Ferguson has dismissed reports that suggested the midfield could be sidelined for up to a month and expects him to face Reading on 30 December.

"Michael did some light training yesterday and reports that he will be out for a month are nonsense," confirmed Ferguson. "He will be ready for Reading."

Ferguson also hinted that he could be ready to revive a bid for long-term transfer target Owen Hargreaves.

Bayern Munich this week hinted that they would consider selling the 25-year-old England midfielder - but not until next summer.

Ferguson said: "We are waiting to see about it.

"Chief executive David Gill is always in touch with them because of the G14 and he sees Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge quite regularly, so we will see."

Meanwhile, Ferguson has called for the traditional post-match managers' press conference in the Premiership to be scrapped.