Squad rotation the key to United winning treble

MANCHESTER UNITED’S resolve to emulate the heroes of 1999 by winning a second Treble has been strengthened by their progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and — Rafa Benitez will be fascinated to hear — by the use of squad rotation.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 30th goal of a quite astonishing season put United into the last eight in Europe on Tuesday with a 1-0 victory over Lyon and the focus now shifts immediately to Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie against Portsmouth at Old Trafford.

With a Premier League match at Derby the following weekend and a total of 17 possible games to go in 71 days before the FA Cup final at Wembley on May 17 there is a hectic schedule ahead for Alex Ferguson’s side.