West Ham boss Curbs was wrong to say what he did but I've heard rumours of pro-United collusion, says Chelsea chief Grant

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has told West Ham boss Alan Curbishley he was out of order for saying he wants Manchester United to win the Premier League.

Curbishley made the revelation just 48 hours before taking his side to Old Trafford, where United will look to extend their advantage over Chelsea at the top of the table, with only goal difference separating them at present.

Grant must wait until Bank Holiday Monday, when his side face Newcastle at St James' Park, to respond, and feels Curbishley has made a grave error in backing long-time friend Sir Alex Ferguson for the title.

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"I am not doubting the integrity of West Ham or Alan Curbishley, but it is wrong to say things like this," said Grant, whose side will face United in the Champions League Final in Moscow as they both sides to complete a stunning Premier and Champions League double.

"It is wrong because they are still involved in the games against United and he (Curbishley) has won his last three games against them, so I don't think it's a good idea to say this.

"I cannot be angry - but I know it is wrong. I think West Ham are more interested in the success of their club, but if they have other wishes then you have to ask them."

And with four of Ferguson's former players - Mark Hughes of Blackburn, Sunderland manager Roy Keane, Wigan's Steve Bruce, and Birmingham boss Alex McLeish - among the current top flight managers, Grant admits he has heard rumours of collusion to prevent Chelsea winning the league.

"I have heard so many rumours in the last two weeks," explained the Israeli, whose entire first-team squad will this afternoon attend the funeral of Frank Lampard's mother, Pat.

"I heard that the referees would be with United, I heard that teams would play for United, that this manager is a friend of Ferguson.

"I've heard so much but I have decided to concentrate on what I need to do and trust the integrity of the others."

Grant also admits he has been hiding the emotion that came to the fore when he dropped to his knees in triumph at the end of Wednesday's Champions League semi-final victory over Liverpool - but has told fans he believes there will be more celebrations in the remaining weeks of the season.

"Was that my best week in football? Well, I always like to think the best is yet to come!"

He continued: "I am very emotional, but you have to concentrate during the game. You have to think about what you need to do, or what you don't need to do, during the games.

"I don't need to show emotion during the game, but people who know me know that I like people with emotion. Football is an emotional profession."