MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Manchester United's players are physically equipped to maintain their challenge for honours on all fronts, manager Alex Ferguson said ahead of Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie with in-form Tottenham Hotspur.
United have won their last three games by a combined margin of 10-0 and Ferguson said he was impressed by the power displayed by his players after a draining Christmas programme.
"Against Aston Villa in the last 20 minutes we were strong looking, against Newcastle in the second half we were strong looking and last Saturday against Reading, which is a big physical test, were our best stats in terms of kilometres run by all the players," he told a news conference on Friday.
"Every player had to run more than any other game this season but we were so strong in the last 20 minutes again, which has given me great encouragement that this is a powerful team we've got, who can endure gruelling competitions."
United have not lost at home to Tottenham since 1989, although Ferguson admitted his team cannot bank on that record to earn them a fifth-round place, especially as Spurs arrive on the back of an inspired win over Arsenal on Tuesday that earned them a place in the League Cup final.
"You could see from their performance on Tuesday night they are on the up," Ferguson said.
SPURS BUOYED
"Their new manager Juande Ramos will now be feeling he's got the understanding of the team and they will be starting to understand his way of playing.
"Their result on Tuesday will have them buoyed, there's no question about that. Okay it wasn't Arsenal's strongest team but nonetheless it was an emphatic 5-1 victory and therefore I think it will be a really good cup tie. I think it will be tight, but I can't complain. We have got a home draw."
United will be refreshed following their trip to Saudi Arabia and will also be lifted by the impending return of Paul Scholes.
The former England international has been out since the end of October following knee surgery and if he does not make the bench on Saturday, will figure against Portsmouth next Wednesday.
"It's almost like a new signing at a very important time," said Ferguson.
"We've got 15 league games left, hopefully a few European ties and hopefully a few FA Cup ties. Him coming back fresh at this time of the season will be brilliant for us."
Anderson also returns for United after missing last Saturday's win for family reasons but Louis Saha and Gary Neville are not yet ready to return.
(Editing by Sonia Oxley)
