If Arsenal's collection of youth academy graduates and reserves can spring a surprise by beating Chelsea in the League Cup final on Sunday, it would rank as one of lowest points of Mourinho's hitherto trophy-laden career.

Losing to Arsene Wenger, hardly one of Mourinho's favourites managerial colleagues, for the first time would be bad enough, but to do it in a final against under-strength London rivals would really rub salt into the wounds.

And the Chelsea manager can ill-afford any set-backs at a time when he is trying to prove to the club's owner Roman Abramovich just how indespensible he is.

Mourinho's dispute with Abramovich over transfer policy has left the Portuguese coach's future in doubt.

Abramovich was reported to have begun sounding out potential replacements for Mourinho after their row became public knowledge, but it would be hard for the Russian to sack a manager who has just enjoyed a third successful season.

Mourinho knows delivering the fourth major trophy to Abramovich would strengthen his case for total control of football matters, which he is believed to be insisting on before agreeing to stay.

Publicly Mourinho, who welcomes back Ashley Cole from injury, is insistent his future lies with Chelsea. "There are only two ways for me to leave Chelsea," he said. "One way is in June 2010. I finish my contract then, and if the club does not give me a new one, it is the end of my contract and I am out.

"The second way is for Chelsea to sack me, because there is not a third way - the way the manager decides to leave and walks away. No chance. I would never do this to Chelsea supporters."

Wenger has no such worries. The French coach is guaranteed a job at Arsenal until he decides he has had enough, so he can concentrate on developing a team to challenge Chelsea and United.

The success of his youngsters, who recorded impressive wins against Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham on route to the final, shows he is heading in the right direction.

Wenger's decision to stick with Theo Walcott, Jeremie Aliadiere, Denilson and company at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium means the likes of Thierry Henry, William Gallas and Freddie Ljungberg will miss out.

He has no qualms about his choice and said: "There was not the slightest temptation. I have full confidence in these players and I like to do what I say.

"People say never judge a manager or a team on a cup run because it depends who you play but in this cup competition we have played Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham so it would be a great reward for us to win it."

Wenger, who will be making his first appearance in a League Cup final, has failed to finish on the winning side against Mourinho in six attempts.

There would be no better time to break that duck than on Sunday but, despite the animosity between the two managers, Wenger insists he is not motivated by rivalry.

Mourinho was perceived to have taken a sly dig at Wenger this week when he said a manager could not be regarded as great until he has won the Champions League.

Wenger, who has injury doubts over Justin Hoyte and Gael Clichy, has yet to win Europe's elite club competition, while Mourinho lifted the trophy with Porto in 2004.

Mourinho's jibe left Wenger unfazed and he said: "Plenty of managers have won the Champions League who will not be considered as great managers.

"It will not change my life if I don't win the Champions League."

In fact, just now it's safe to assume that nothing would make Wenger happier than watching his team lift the rather more modest League Cup.