Ferguson: Squad is stronger than in ’99

Alex Ferguson is convinced Manchester United have a stronger squad now than their 1999 Treble-winning campaign.

Twelve points clear in the Premier League title race and following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid, United are still on course to repeat that historic feat.

Monday offers a chance to clinch a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals. And such is the strength of Ferguson’s squad, United could field a completely different side to the one that started against the Spanish champions. That fact alone leads the Red Devils chief to conclude he has more options at his disposal than he did 14 years ago.

“We have a stronger squad now,” said Ferguson. “When we went to the [Champions League] final, Keane and Scholes were suspended but Henning Berg was the only injury. I still had to pull in a player [Jonathan Greening] who had only played once or twice in the first team. He got a medal for being on the bench. That gives you an idea of the strength of the squad.”

The momentum for that magnificent achievement came from an unbeaten run that began following a defeat against Middlesbrough on December 19, which eventually reached 33 games.

It is now 15 matches since United were beaten on home soil by Romanian champions CFR Cluj in a Champions League game at the end of December. And with QPR and Norwich to follow the meeting with Reading, there is no sign of that record ending soon.

“It is nice to look back on these things and think how it was done at that particular time,” said Ferguson. “But the reality is that we should not get carried away, particularly in the FA Cup when anything can happen. You don’t want to be a shock.

“Monday can’t take care of itself. We have to take care of that. We must get a performance off the players that respects our opponents and also the fact the FA Cup can produce shocks.”

It has been repeated fairly frequently that of Ferguson’s present squad, only Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher, who will miss the remainder of the season, have won the FA Cup with United.

Most have appeared in semi-finals though, with United losing their past two, against Everton and Manchester City.

Full-back Rafael was amongst those who featured in the 2009 last-four encounter with Everton at Wembley, which the Red Devils lost in a penalty shoot-out. The Brazilian’s career has not always been straightforward since. Indeed, his performance in the Bernabeu on Wednesday almost summed up his entire career, given the difficulties he endured during the first half before rediscovering top form after the interval.

“Rafael had an horrendous first half,” said Ferguson. “He was impetuous. He tried to win the war right away, diving in at players, but he settled down in the second half. His game calmed down and he had absolutely no problems. ”