Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson 'lit the fuse' ahead of an explosive Community Shield clash with Manchester City by warning his bitter rivals that even their financial muscle can't guarantee success in the Premier League.Ferguson initially seemed unconcerned when City's Abu Dhabi-based owners started lavishing vast sums on a host of big names three years ago.But his dismissive jibes about dealing with "noisy neighbours" have been replaced by an awareness that Roberto Mancini's expensively assembled team are now a serious threat.Now Ferguson has paid City the ultimate back-handed compliment by starting his mind games before the season has even begun.He chose the eve of this weekend's traditional curtain-raiser to issue a stern reminder that splashing the cash doesn't necessarily mean prizes will follow.Ferguson said, "We get this almost every year when clubs round about us buy, and that's how you view the importance of winning the league these days.Chelsea had this great spell of buying when Jose Mourinho first went there and we accepted that challenge.To win the league in England is very difficult. If you look at the Premier League you are looking at the top six fighting for four places.I think 84 points will win the league next year. We had less last year but you have to consider the increasing competition.Liverpool are expected to be better, the top four we know about and Tottenham as well. You expect it to be a really tough league."
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