Ferguson makes the unprecedented step of resting players in the Champions League for the next Premiership encounter but United still stumble past Roma and into the last four. We’re not complaining.

The gamble paid off for Ferguson – with Ronaldo, Rooney, Evra, Scholes and O’Shea omitted from last night’s side, he will go into Sunday’s clash with Arsenal will a wealth of rested talent to throw at Wenger’s men. In came Silvestre, Pique, Anderson, Park, Hagreaves and Tevez against Roma and the big news elsewhere was that Ferdinand past his fitness test on a foot injury to take his place in the defence.

United’s progress will see them take on Barcelona in the first leg on April 23, four days after a trip to Ewood Park. Ferguson will no doubt look to rest key players for that encounter – and that could well include Ronaldo and Rooney, although a lot depends on Sunday’s result. Anything less than three points against Arsenal and it’s hard to see Ferguson gambling on resting heavily for the trip to Blackburn, given that Chelsea will be breathing down their necks and lying in wait for the encounter at Stamford Bridge on April 26. That title decider comes immediately after the first leg and before the return leg with Barcelona. For me then, rest and rotation is going to be difficult for Ferguson going into the tie with Barca which is more good news for fantasy managers.