Sir Alex Looks To Awesome Foursome

Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to let his entire big-name striking quartet loose on some unfortunate Premier League opponents.

While it is unlikely to be on Sunday given the importance of Manchester United's trip to Chelsea, especially as neither Dimitar Berbatov nor Cristiano Ronaldo are match fit, it is something Ferguson is willing to try.

The Manchester United boss is not fazed by utilising a front-line - also including Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney, who would cost well in excess of £100million - as he said: "You could play all four."

He added: "You would have to sacrifice something but I once ended up with Peter Schmeichel as a centre-forward, so I am sure I could end up with those four as well."

In reality, the United boss is likely to spread the load as his side challenge for honours on all fronts.

Berbatov is most likely to be left out, with Tevez and Rooney's all-action styles making them ideal candidates for a rest at various points in the campaign.

It is a very similar position to the one Ferguson found himself in during the historic 1999 Treble-winning season, when Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provided the ammunition.

"It was hard to leave players out then," recalled the United boss.

"No matter what combination I chose - and they were all terrific - you were always disappointing two. But the name of the game is to win.

"If I have a strong squad this season - and hopefully I have now I have brought in Berbatov - then it is the right thing to do. Whether it gives me 1% improvement or 10% it doesn't matter, improvement is what we are looking for."