Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted these are the weekends when he has the toughest job of all.

Ferguson had 24 players at training yesterday, all desperately hoping to be part of the team chosen for tomorrow's Premier League showdown with Chelsea.

Some of the younger members of Ferguson's group accept they have no chance, others, like Ryan Giggs, will be resigned to a place on the bench.

But half a dozen senior stars will be told they are not included when they thought they might be. And, while every match at United can be classed as a big game, the truth is some are bigger than others.

"This is where my job is difficult," said Ferguson.

"I wouldn't mind playing in this one myself!

"No matter who we play it is always a big game situation. When we played against Derby on Wednesday it was a very big game for them.

"But there is no doubt, because Chelsea are one of the top teams in the country, there is more spice to it and more anticipation amongst the players, who all want to play."

With Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra back, Ferguson is choosing from strength too.

The Scot did not want to discuss Cristiano Ronaldo's car smash yesterday but was able to confirm the Portugal winger's participation 24 hours before he is likely to be voted world player of the year.

Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov are set to start as well, which means Carlos Tevez - another player Ferguson did not want to talk about - is likely to be on the bench.

With Tevez's ongoing contract wrangle ruled an area not up for debate, Ferguson instead focused on Luiz Felipe Scolari as Rafael Benitez's amazing rant came too late for the Scot to air a public response.

Although Chelsea are in the thick of the title fight, Scolari has been heavily criticised since being appointed as Avram Grant's successor in the summer.

The Brazilian has presided over the loss of a four-year unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge and while Chelsea's superb away form has kept them in the top two, many fans are disgruntled at the performances of a team expected to be above the likes of current table-toppers Liverpool.

But Ferguson feels the World Cup winner can handle the pressure.

And, while Scolari had never managed on the club scene in Europe prior to his arrival in west London, the Manchester United boss does not view that as a problem either.

"Scolari has fantastic experience, which should stand him in good stead coming into any league in the world," said Ferguson.

"He has managed Brazil and Portugal and no matter where you get your experience it is still vital.

"People are looking at Nigel Clough and saying he has not managed in the league but 10 years at Burton is as good experience as you are ever going to get.

"It allows you to go down the road and know which door to knock on.

"I don't think there has been much change in the Chelsea team other than the swing in terms of home and away form.

"They are still consistent, they are still very difficult to play against and they still have very good players."