“THIS IS FOOTBALL” shrugged Carlo Ancelotti after Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford last night.

But, under Roman Abramovich, football is sacking managers who don’t deliver the Champions League to Stamford Bridge.

And, admirably, the Italian admitted his future is beyond his control now after he agreed he may have made a mistake by selecting Fernando Torres ahead of Didier Drogba.

Ancelotti later replaced his new, mis-firing £50-million striker at half time; his replacement Drogba put in an impressive second 45 minutes.

“I preferred to start with Fernando for this kind of game, with these kind of tactics, but Didier played very well in the second half. He did better than Torres in his 45 minutes.

“I wanted to put more pressure in front. We needed to score. Didier was fresh and could use his power in front. This was the reason I took off Fernando.

“We have to believe (in Torres), though. We have to wait until he improves,” he added.

Ancelotti dismissed Alex Ferguson’s claim that he ‘had to play’ Torres from the start. “This is not true.” he retorted. “I put Fernando in because he has skills and ability that could be good for us.”

Asked is he was concerned about his future in England, the Italian was typically phlegmatic.

“I don’t know. It’s not the kind of question a manager can answer.

“I’m not concerned. I have to work. I have to try to do my best. It’s not my decision whether I stay or not here. I haven’t spoken with him (Roman Abramovich),” he added.

LISTEN: Carlo Ancelotti meets the press after Chelsea’s Champions League defeat

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