Mourinho (left) was proud of his makeshift team's efforts

"I'm very happy with the players," said Mourinho, who was without injured pair John Terry and Didier Drogba.

"We only knew last night we had to play this team and this strategy so I think they did very well.

"We controlled the game against the champions so why should we be afraid of the future?"

Interview: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho

Interview: Chelsea's Florent Malouda

After new signing Florent Malouda had cancelled out Ryan Giggs' opening goal, the match went to penalties.

606: DEBATE I think Chelsea must be the England of penalty shoot-outs. Their record is appalling returnof50phead

Claudio Pizarro, Frank Lampard and Shaun Wright-Phillips all had their spot-kicks saved as United won the shoot-out 3-0.

"I don't think they deserved to lose on penalties - but that's football," said Mourinho.

"The season starts on Saturday and we didn't lose the game itself, we are not at a lower level than the opposition.

"We showed we have a great group of boys fighting and working together."