“We have one point from two matches”, said Mourinho “I’m not happy at all”.

But Mourinho said Terry was withdrawn due to his lack of pace and on Friday the manager said that he may utilise quicker defenders and different formations more often.

The former Manchester United full-back pointed out that by training with the Chelsea skipper, Stones will be able to absorb the knowledge of one of the Premier League’s finest defenders.

Despite bristling at constant questioning regarding Pedro, Van Gaal suggested he is not too disheartened at failing to sign the forward, and claimed he would be happy to go through to the new year with the squad he now has.

With Pedro and Rahman potentially in line for debuts at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has no doubts his team will soon bounce back from lacklustre opening he blames on the earlier than usual start to the season. “I admire what he’s achieved, it’s remarkable”, he said.

“I don’t want to say we won, they lost, Man United wanted him, didn’t want him“.

“I only want to beat Manchester United on the pitch”, the Portuguese told a news conference.

“As I was saying, the transfer window or opportunity window, you can call it what you want”. “Deciding not to sign Pedro is not in itself a problem, but the fact that Woodward flew to Barcelona on Monday with the terms of his transfer on his agenda (even if, intriguingly, it was not the only piece of business discussed) makes it more so”.

“I never win against a P and seasons where I start with a 2-2 at home I win the treble. While the window is open there is always an opportunity”.

The 21-year-old has been continually linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for most of the summer (via ESPN) but the Toffees remain steadfast in their approach that the England global will not be sold. Again, Mourinho refused to comment.

Captain John Terry is likely to start in defence at West Brom despite being substituted at half-time at City, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will return from suspension in place of Asmir Begovic.

Terry’s dismissal, early in the second half, changed the complexion of a breathless game that Chelsea seemed to have tied up when Cesar Azpilicueta, with his first Premier League goal, put the visitors 3-1 up just before half-time.