Ferguson hails 'strongest ever squad'

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his current crop of players are the finest he has coached in his 21 years at Old Trafford.

Ferguson's side moved three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired win over in-form Blackburn, leaving Ferguson beaming at the options he has available to him.

He said: "I believe this is the strongest squad I have ever had. So much so that I think I would be pushed to name my overall best team."

He added: "We have young players led by Rooney and Ronaldo, now joined by the likes of Nani (Carlos) Tevez and Anderson. In fact, it's difficult to know when to stop when talking about our important players."

Ferguson has enjoyed a trophy-packed career with the Red Devils, claiming nine league titles, five FA Cups, two League Cups and one Champions League success, and he fully expects his current squad to add to that impressive list.

"This is a good young team coming together. They have courage in the way they play. They want to win something and the signs are good. They have a great chance of doing that," he added.