Source: SKY_Sports
Strength in numbers
Frank Stapleton says Sir Alex Ferguson now has the strongest squad he's ever had during his time at Manchester United.
Former United favourite Stapleton was at Old Trafford on Monday morning to reflect on the club's Carling Cup Final victory over Tottenham, which was achieved with a number of first-team regulars missing from the starting line-up.
The likes of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Edwin van der Sar and Michael Carrick were not even in the matchday squad as Ferguson opted to give major final experience to Darron Gibson, Danny Wellbeck and Ben Foster.
But despite the changes, United ran out winners after a penalty-shoot-out and Stapleton was eager to praise the strength in depth in Ferguson's ranks.
He told Sky Sports News: "You just look at the numbers that he's got and he's got cover for every position - and maybe three players for some positions. It's a perfect scenario.
"He can use players in different positions as well. He's got good utility players, the back-up is good and he's got three generations of players there.
"He's got players in their thirties, he's got guys right at the peak of their careers and he's got young players coming through and pushing.
"I think at the moment it's the perfect scenario for him."
On courseThe Carling Cup was United's second major honour of the season following the World Club Championship and keeps the club on course for an unprecedented quintuple.
In the Premier League United are seven points clear of second-placed Chelsea with a game in hand, in the Champions League they are well-placed to reach the quarter-finals after last week's draw at Inter Milan and on Saturday they travel to Fulham for a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
But while Stapleton believes the squad has enough strength to win all five trophies, it will only take one bad day at the office to ruin the dream.
"I think they can do it," he said.
"I think there's no question mark against the squad and the strength of the squad.
"The form's good and the possibility is there, but whether it happens or not we don't know.
"It's up in the air a little bit. If they have one bad day in one of the cups that could be it.
"The possibility is there, the ability is within the squad and they've got the players to do it.
"We'll just have to wait and see."
