Manchester: So much for Manchester United's reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Without their twin terrors, United ousted AS Roma to reach a second straight Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
"I keep saying it's the best squad I've ever had so if that's the case then why should I play them?" United manager Alex Ferguson said after masterminding a 1-0 victory over the Italian club and 3-0 on aggregate.
"We could not have had a better opportunity than playing a game at Old Trafford with a 2-0 lead - that gave me the confidence that we could rest these players."
Carlos Tevez scored the lone goal with a diving header off a cross from Owen Hargreaves in the 70th minute, long after Daniele de Rossi missed a first-half penalty for Roma.
Ferguson was gambling to ensure Ronaldo and Rooney, who enjoyed a late cameo, are fit for Sunday's game against Arsenal in the English Premier League - the first time since November's 1-0 loss at Bolton that neither of the club's most prolific scorers has started.
"I trusted all of our squad and quite rightly we have good players," Ferguson said. "It tells me these players can play in any type of game. There's something really special with this team."
United were denied a spot in last year's final after limping out against AC Milan with an injury-ravaged squad.
This year, United will have to conquer FC Barcelona, who beat Schalke 1-0 and 2-0 on aggregate.
"The energy of the team is far ahead of the energy of the team a year ago," Ferguson said. "We had lots of injuries at the time and it was the same team playing all the time."
"We played a Milan team fantastically prepared against us and if we had better energy would have gone through."
The Red Devils would play Premier League rivals Chelsea or Liverpool in May's final, and Roma coach Luciano Spalletti is backing them to repeat the 1999 triumph.
"United are very strong from dead ball situations and is always a danger," Spalletti said.
"They are certainly a well-equipped team and a group of players than can go all the way. There is huge potential in the team itself and individual players."
United captain Gary Neville returned to action for the first time since last March, ending a miserable spell with ankle and groin injuries. To loud applause, he replaced Anderson for the last 15 minutes.
"There was never a time I thought I wouldn't come back," Neville said. "It felt good to be back - it's been a long time. I hope for this season I can come in and play a small part because it's been frustrating."
Rio Ferdinand partnered Gerrard Pique in central defence despite fears on Sunday that he had broken his left foot. Ferdinand did have three stitches inserted in his other foot at halftime.
Last April, United routed Roma 7-1 and advanced 8-3 on aggregate.
United also won 1-0 in Manchester when they met in the group stage. The teams drew 1-1 in the Italian capital.
The win was United's record 11th consecutive at home in the Champions League.
"Our home record has been very good and were rightly proud of that," Ferguson said. "European football is difficult and we're disciplined to keep hold of that record. We're growing as a team."
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