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Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed he sent Jose Mourinho a congratulatory text after Chelsea sealed the title on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Crystal Palace, the Dutchman said he was left in no doubt that Mourinho's men are worthy champions after an impressive season in which the Blues have lost just twice.
Van Gaal said: "I think I have sent him a text already ... but I don't know if the message has arrived because I know he changes his number a lot but I want to wish my colleague Jose Mourinho and Chelsea their championship... well deserved, I think.
"When you see the statistics, you cannot doubt that they are the real champion."
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Meanwhile, Van Gaal made his first signing of the summer on Thursday when he agreed to buy Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven for £25million.
The United boss has a good relationship with Depay after handing him his international debut for Holland in 2013.
The 21-year-old was also part of Van Gaal's World Cup squad, helping them finish third in the tournament following a semi-final elimination by Argentina.
Despite the fact that Depay has scored 21 goals for PSV this season, Van Gaal was reluctant to sign the player before the end of the campaign.
He would have preferred to get the deal done in June, but the 63-year-old said he had to sign the player now as Paris St Germain were also determined to sign him.
"I have been forced to sign him," the Dutchman said.
"I don't want to sign him before the end of the season. We have to focus on our games.
"When you sign a player you disturb the focus of your present group of players.
"The coming matches are very important for Manchester United and for all of the players. But because of the market, I must handle it (now) - because otherwise he would have signed for PSG.
"That is why I signed Memphis."
Van Gaal feels his close relationship with PSV and the forward, who was also linked with Liverpool, was key to sealing the deal.
When asked why he felt Depay was in danger of signing for PSG, Van Gaal said: "Because at that time he was not reached by me.
"I don't want to speak with players before the season has ended.
"I have also a feeling to my players. But now, because of the close relationship I have with PSV, I could handle it."
