Sir Alex Ferguson insisted that his quest for five trophies is not an impossible dream after Manchester United remained on course for an unprecedented haul of silverware by beating Derby 4-1 in the FA Cup fifth round. Having already claimed the Fifa Club World Cup Japan 2008 and a place in the League Cup final against Tottenham next month, United can extend their advantage at the head of the Premier League to five points with victory over Fulham on Wednesday.

Ferguson, whose team are also in the Uefa Champions League last-16, certainly believes he has the squad to attempt a clean-sweep.

After making seven changes against Derby including relegating Nemanja Vidic to the bench and leaving out Dimitar Berbatov entirely, the Scot is determined to give himself every chance of keeping his team fresh for the run-in. “The squad has been fantastic. They have carried us through and got us through some difficult games,” said Ferguson whose team have been drawn against either Swansea or Fulham in the FA Cup last eight.

“With the game on Wednesday in mind I made some changes and the squad did very well again. That is encouraging and we are delighted to be in the next round of the FA Cup. It would have been nice to have a home draw, but we are one game away from the semifinal and that should give everyone a great incentive. I hope the squad can maintain the levels they have hit in the last few weeks, but I saw Swansea play very, very well against Fulham in the first game and that tie is far from finished.”

Derby manager Nigel Clough has been up close and personal with United more than any other manager recently. Since taking charge six weeks ago this was his third encounter with the European champions and after the way United breezed over their latest hurdle, Clough thinks people should begin to take their quintet quest far more seriously.

“It is possible that they can do all five. That was the most impressive performance they have put in against us. They are almost impossible to prepare for and when you look at the players they have to add to that squad and come back,” Clough said.

“It is a very difficult thing to do and would be unprecedented, but they looked very good indeed and if anyone can do it they can. If they had played Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool today they could have put four goals past them as well. That is how good they were.”

Cristiano Ronaldo scored one of United’s goals from a relatively rare outing in a central striking role, to add to others from Darron Gibson, Portuguese winger Nani and substitute Danny Welbeck, while Miles Addison got one back for Derby.

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Manchester United suffered a shock defeat of 1 – 0 against second division Derby last night at Pride Park on Wednesday in the Leaugue Cup.

“Kris Commons fired the only goal with half an hour gone and Derby could have taken a two-goal advantage to Old Trafford for the second leg in two weeks’ time had Rob Hulse not wasted a glorious late chance.

United manager Alex Ferguson fielded an under-strength side but introduced Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo late on with the latter almost equalising with a trademark free kick that brushed the post.

Until then the Premier League champions had rarely tested their former keeper Roy Carroll in the Derby goal.

Derby, relegated from the top flight last season with a record low points total and languishing in 18th place in the Championship, had new manager Nigel Clough watching in the stands as he prepared for his first day in charge.

Clough, confirmed as the club’s new manager on Tuesday, must have been impressed by the organisation and spirit of Derby who fully deserved their first leg advantage.

United came under pressure early on, with Jonny Evans forced to clear one effort off the line. Andy Todd then lifted a good chance over the crossbar.

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