Fergie delighted as United prove strength in depth

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United are one victory, and possibly just a draw, away from qualification for the knock-out stages after they swept past the Ukrainian side.

Rampaging Reds: Rooney celebrates with Brown

Arsenal joined them on three wins out of three after they demolished Slavia Prague 7-0 at the Emirates, where both Theo Walcott and Cesc Fabregas scored twice.

United lost midfielder Paul Scholes to a knee injury before last night's game and then saw Patrice Evra limp out of the warm-up with a calf injury.

But two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and one each for Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were enough to take United's tally to 12 in their last three games.

Ferguson said: "All our forwards are playing well and you can see the difference it makes. We have good strengths in depth and no matter what changes we make, it doesn't seem to affect the performance."

Rooney and Ronaldo were particularly impressive last night and with Carlos Tevez also looking dangerous, United look set to challenge in the knock-out stage if they can avoid further injuries.

Victory in the rematch at Old Trafford in a fortnight will ease Ferguson's side into the last 16 with two matches to spare.

"We have nine points now, which puts us in a great position," said Ferguson.

"To score four goals away from home in a European game is an excellent performance at any time and we could have scored more.

Great leap forward: Ronaldo scores in Kiev

"Our forward play at the moment is excellent and although the goals looked easy, you have to be there to take them.

"We had a few problems at the start of the season. Carlos and Anderson missed their pre-season endurance work because they were at the Copa America, Wayne got injured and Cristiano was suspended.

"As a result, we did not get the goals you would expect. Now you are seeing the difference."

Scholes will have a scan in Manchester today to assess the damage to the outside of his right knee.

Ferguson stressed that it was not the same injury that forced him home early from United's tour of the Far East in July.