Scolari rages at referees for hurting Chelsea as Terry hails Mourinho

Scolari's very deliberate criticisms, which are sure to be scrutinised by the Football Association, followed on from his touchline spat with the Middlesbrough No2 Malcolm Crosby in midweek and appear to betray a man straining under the weight of United's recent resurgence.

The Brazilian confronts Rafael Benítez, who has also shown signs of cracking after seeing Liverpool usurped by the reigning champions, tomorrow with his captain, John Terry, having admitted that Jose Mourinho is "the best" manager under whom he has worked.

Terry's comments were made to the Guardian's Weekend magazine in an interview conducted by Oscar Witt, a five-year-old Chelsea fan, and came with the caveat that it was too early to judge Scolari.