Quality in depth keeps United fresh

'Fresher'
Despite an injury to Ryan Giggs, Sir Alex was able to name Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tévez among the substitutes and still advance 2-1 on aggregate thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's 41st-minute strike. "Last season we had a lot of injuries and we had a few players playing a lot of games and they were tired," Rooney said. "Now we have a big squad so hopefully the rotation policy will help us. I think we're a lot fresher. A lot of players haven't played so many games this season. We brought players in, the squad is bigger and we haven't really got any injuries at the minute."

Spoilt for choice
After brushing aside AS Roma 7-1 in the last eight at Old Trafford last year, United ran out of steam against AC Milan in the semi-finals, a combination of fatigue and injuries taking their toll. It is a situation Sir Alex is determined to avoid, and in a bid to keep his squad fresh he has not named the same side for successive matches since August. While the defence is largely settled he rotates his midfield and attack, with the summer arrivals of Nani, Anderson and Tévez giving him plenty of options. Ronaldo, now the UEFA Champions League's joint-leading scorer with six goals, said the side was "more mature" than last year and Sir Alex's ability to keep a harmonious squad while ringing the changes backs that up.

'Changes'
As United chase trophies on three fronts, and a first European crown since 1999, midfielder Darren Fletcher in particular has benefited from Sir Alex's rotation policy in recent matches and played a key role in helping shut out Lyon on Tuesday. United's football was not spectacular, but it proved effective. "It wasn't a classic by any stretch of the imagination but it was a 1-0 win in Europe and it gets us through to the next round," Fletcher said. "The manager picked a team he felt could win against Lyon and we managed to do that but I'm sure there will be changes as there have been for most games. For different styles of team different players are needed and of late it seems to be working."

'More mature'
With Arsenal FC beating AC Milan and Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC well placed to join to United in the last eight, the prospect of an all-English quarter-final looms large. "At this stage of the competition it is always a difficult game whoever you get," Rooney said. "It would be nice if we meet an English team further into the competition. We'll just have to do our job and hopefully we'll get a good draw. I think it's better for English football if the four teams go further. I think this proves that the Premiership is the best league in the world and that's why it attracts the best players in the world."