The dream is still alive following the 4-0 defeat of title rivals Arsenal in the FA Cup.

Next up is a Champions League match against Lyon on Wednesday followed by a Premier League clash with Newcastle three days later.

Rooney feels United's strength in depth could hold the key in the coming weeks.

Certainly they have marvellous options in the middle of the park. There lies a cast list of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson, Ji-Sung Park, not to mention Darren Fletcher.

Scotland star Fletcher marked his first start of the year with a brace while Rooney - in front of England boss Fabio Capello - and Nani were also on target.

Rooney said: "Last season we had to play all the players in every game.

"But this season you see Scholesy getting a rest - and at the end of the season that (resting players) could be very crucial.

"Arsenal could not cope with us as we were making runs all over the pitch. We got our tactics spot on."

Rooney admits he would love to be paired with Chelsea when the quarter-final draw is made tomorrow and gain revenge for last season's defeat in the final.

He said: "The FA Cup is very important to me. It's something I've watched from really young age.

"Now I'm playing in it and hopefully we can carry on and lift the trophy."

Rooney praised Fletcher's contribution. "He was brilliant," said the England striker.

"I said to him before the game to make sure he did well and he certainly did that.

"Credit to him, he's kept himself fit and kept himself going and he was great against Arsenal."

United were two goals to the good inside the first 20 minutes thanks to headers from Rooney and Fletcher.

Nani increased Arsenal's misery before half-time then the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Emmanuel Eboue was sent off in the 49th minute.

Fletcher added a fourth for United and said: "I was in the right place at the right time.

"I just went out there and did my best. Hopefully I'll get a few more starts before the end of the season.

"Everyone wants to play. You keep yourself fit and you train hard and when your chances come you've got to be ready to take them."

Nani's goal was reward for an entertaining display, although his inclination to showboat infuriated Arsenal.

While United manager Sir Alex Ferguson gave him a ticking off he felt William Gallas deserved to be red-carded by referee Alan Wiley for kicking out at the youngster.

Ferguson said: "I thought Gallas should have been sent off. The referee must have a look at that again.

"He kicked Nani from behind and the referee called both over because they sized each other up. He should have been red-carded."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed he had not seen the incident.

He added: "Nani was very good but he did not need to juggle the ball.

"He is a young player and wanted to show what he could do. Maybe he can learn from this."

Ferguson agreed. "I think he shouldn't be doing that, he doesn't need to do that," he said.

"In some ways it shows a great deal of courage to do what he did, that's one side of it."