Nani: Gunners main threat

Manchester United winger Nani views Arsenal as a bigger title threat than Chelsea this season.

The Gunners visit Old Trafford on Monday looking to consolidate top spot in the Barclays Premier League table. For their part, United know a home win would allow them to jump back to the summit, while retaining a match in hand following the postponement of last week's visit to Blackpool.

It promises to be a feast of football, with Nani believing it represents the acid test of United's trophy ambitions.

"Arsenal are a bigger threat than Chelsea now," he said.

"Chelsea have lost a few games and drawn some and their confidence looks a bit low.

"But Arsenal have been winning and being top of the league gives you great confidence."

The north London giants have lost three times on home soil this season.

However, away from the Emirates they have been a formidable force, managing recent victories over Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa, none of whom United were able to beat on their own travels.

"Arsenal have been doing well. They are growing up in the way we are," the Portugal star said.

In Samir Nasri, the Gunners boast a player who is at the very top of his game and arguably the most influential in the top flight at present.

"Nasri is the most important player in the Arsenal team," said Nani.

"He is a very big danger for us and we have to take care of him."

Arsenal might well feel the same way about United's confident winger.

It was Nani's direct running that got Arsene Wenger's side into a flap on their most recent meeting in January as United extended an unbeaten run against Arsenal to four matches in very impressive style.

"I like to play against Arsenal," he said.

"It is good playing against any big team but I have done well against them in the past.

"The way they play gives you a chance to show your quality."

Man Utd board warming to Inter Milan boss Mourinho

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho's character is growing on the decision-makers at Manchester United.

The Daily Mail says those closest to the former Chelsea manager insist he is far from content in Italy.

That, given half a chance, he would be back here in a flash. While nothing is ever straight-forward with the self-anointed Special One, his most likely suitors at Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool might just want to consider how they would respond should he suddenly become available.

At United they see changes in Mourinho. They see a more mature manager with more humility after his experiences at Chelsea and Inter, and they see someone who was utterly charming when he came to Old Trafford last season for the first knock-out stage of the Champions League.

They also see him as someone chief executive David Gill could work with.

Man Utd's Fletcher: Beating Chelsea important psychologically

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher admits they would gain a mental edge on Chelsea if they can win in London this weekend.

United are trailing behind Premiership leaders Chelsea in the current standings.

"There's a long way to go yet in the title race, but Sunday's game could be important psychologically," he told MUTV. "We'll just concentrate on ourselves - we know we're capable of going there and winning. It won't be easy, but we'll go there with a game plan and the manager will have a lot of options for the side he wants to pick and we'll try and get a result."

After years of duking it out for top honours at home and abroad, United and Chelsea have few secrets. Nevertheless, Fletcher insists the reigning champions are capable of inflicting a rare home defeat on the Blues.

"They're a top side," he said. "We've both been challenging for the title over the last five or six years and there's great respect between the two sides. We know what to expect, it'll be a great challenge for us at Stamford Bridge. They've got a great record there, but it's up to us to go there and try and get the win."

Man Utd not getting carried away being top - Evans

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans insists no-one is celebrating at the club after going top yesterday.

Victory over Bolton and defeat at Aston Villa for Chelsea saw United leapfrog their nearest rivals to again takeover at the top of the table.

But Evans told MUTV: "It's a good day for us.

"But we were watching the Chelsea game in the changing room before the game and we know it's going to be quite an up-and-down season. A lot of teams in the Premier League are improving all the time and they're getting closer and closer to the top. It's making it a really exciting league."

Chelsea join Man Utd interest for Vasco da Gama starlet Alex

Brazilian teenager Alex Teixeira Santos is being watched by Chelsea and Manchester United.

The News of the World says the Vasco da Gama midfielder is considered the star of the team and is valued at around £8million. He could even make the full squad in South Africa next summer.

Teixeira, 19, scored twice in the second round against Uruguay and is noted for his pace, creativity and dribbling.

At the end of last season the Brazilian club said they didn't want to sell the player for another two years.

They now have serious financial problems and a deal could even be possible in January.

"I am aware that some English clubs are enjoying my work,'' said Teixeira.

"My dream is to play in Europe and I am convinced that this will soon be a reality.''