Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari today refused to respond to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson's comments that the Brazilian's side is  too old to mount a title challenge.

Ferguson insisted he is not worried by Chelsea's credentials to challenge United for the Premier League crown this season and pointed towards Arsenal and Liverpool as his side's rivals.

Ferguson said: "(Jose) Mourinho won the title two years in a row and beat us in the FA Cup final, so there's no one who can improve on his record really. They (Chelsea) would have to go beyond Mourinho's performance to really worry us. Scolari is fortunate. He is joining a big club and he is joining a team of internationals.

"Chelsea have a lot of experience and that was the one thing I was a bit concerned about last season, but I don't know how far that team has got to go. It's hard to see where there's going to be a big improvement with a team that's really very experienced."

But after watching his new side open their pre-season tour of Asia and Russia with a comfortable 4-0 win over Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Pharmaceutical today, Scolari refused to use his first opportunity to retaliate.

"I will not answer this question. This is not a question for me," said the former Portugal coach.

"I think I have a lot of experienced players and also some young boys in my team but I feel we have experience for the Premier League or whatever league."

Salomon Kalou, Frank Lampard, Argentinian teenager Franco Di Santo and Shaun Wright-Phillips all scored as Chelsea eased to victory in the southern Chinese city.

"I think it is normal for a first game," added Scolari. "The players have trained well for the last two weeks, more fitness than technical training."

Scolari has admitted speculation over Frank Lampard's future will continue until the end of the transfer window.

Italian giants Inter Milan have made no secret of their desire to sign the 30-year-old, with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho keen to bring Lampard to the San Siro.

Scolari is confident Lampard will start the new season with Chelsea, however it has been suggested that he may depart the club for free when his contract expires next summer.

Lampard was on target for Chelsea today and Scolari feels his involvement in the pre-season tour of China demonstrates his commitment to the club.

"I have said before, Frank is here, he is with us training and playing very well, he is an important player for us," said Scolari.

"The speculation is normal because until 31st August there will be a lot of speculation."