Edwin points to squad depth

Edwin van der Sar feels Manchester United proved on Tuesday night that they have the depth in their squad to compete with the best.

Many pundits have suggested United have the best team in the Premiership, but have a lack of quality in reserve.

That opinion was shot to pieces on Tuesday as Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to field a number of his so called lesser lights on account of injury and suspension and they responded by thrashing Roma 7-1.

Wes Brown and John O'Shea performed admirably in defence, while Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith filled in for Paul Scholes and Louis Saha respectively.

Fletcher and Smith have seen little action this term, but shone on the big occasion as they proved thorns in the side of Roma.

And Dutch keeper van der Sar feels the displays of the fringe players augurs well for the rest of the campaign.

"They (Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo) play very well and everybody sees that but the performance of Darren Fletcher and Alan Smith, they have not played a lot, but to see the way they played gives great confidence for us," van der Sar told Sky Sports News. "It shows we have more options to play with."

Van der Sar admits that the players realise they are reaching the business end of the season.

"Everybody senses it is the last six weeks of the campaign and when it gets interesting and everybody is ready to go," added van der Sar

Van der Sar is aware that Chelsea could stand in their way to glory this term, but he admits he would rather face a European side in the Champions League final - should The Red Devils see off Milan in the last-four.

"It would be great (to play Chelsea in FA Cup and Champions League final) as it means we have made at least two finals," he added. "The chance is there and we will do our utmost to achieve our goals.

"I'd rather play a European team, it is a European Cup and that is the charm of it, but you take whatever is thrown at you."