Soccer:Andre Villas-Boas has no plans to get drawn into a battle of the minds with Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson.

The new Chelsea manager is aware that the Red Devils coach is renowned for his ability to get under the skin of his rivals.

Numerous Premier League bosses have been enticed in by his antics and have ultimately paid the price with below-par performances on the field.

Villas-Boas insists there is no chance of him treading a similar path, with it not in his nature to become embroiled in a war of words.

The Portuguese tactician told the Daily Star Sunday: "I have the utmost respect for Sir Alex. I'm not a confrontational guy."

Rather than become obsessed with one club and one manager, Villas-Boas claims there are wider issues that need to be addressed at Stamford Bridge.

He added: "It's not just a question of me taking on Sir Alex or the other Premier League managers. It's a question of a top club like Chelsea challenging for the title again.

"Last year, we ended on a very good run to threaten for the title in the last couple of games. I want us to be up there at the beginning."