Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised his backroom staff as the team continue to progress on all fronts.

United clinched a place in the Carling Cup final in midweek and will face Tottenham at Wembley on March 1.

By coincidence, Harry Redknapp's side are the visitors tomorrow in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Ferguson is pleased with the form of his team and the contribution of his coaches. He feels vindicated in his decision to promote Mike Phelan to assistant manager and Rene Meulensteen to first-team coach in the wake of Carlos Queiroz's departure last summer.

"We don't like change," Ferguson told Inside United.

"We like to have longevity at the club.

"When I was looking around the club, one of the issues we had to consider was the international flavour we have. But other than that, Mike was the outstanding candidate for the assistant's role.

"Rene brings a different type of coaching to that of Carlos Queiroz, but still boasts just the same quality.

"So it was a natural thing to do, I think - and they've both done very well so far."

With Tottenham in the thick of a Barclays Premier League relegation battle, Phelan knows they may have on eye on the match against Stoke on Tuesday.

He said: "Spurs have a couple of hard games coming up against us and Stoke. They have to plan their games and teams."

United have problems of their own when it comes to injuries - and were left counting the cost of beating Derby.

Anderson (ankle), Rafael (hamstring) and Jonny Evans (ankle) look likely to miss the FA Cup match.

Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Nani all picked up knocks - and their fitness will be monitored in the next 24 hours.

With Rio Ferdinand (back), Wayne Rooney (hamstring) and Patrice Evra (foot) also sidelined, United's treatment room is getting crowded.

Phelan said: "We got a few knocks against Derby. We will see how all the bumps and bruises settle down, and take it from there.

"It is good for the younger players to sample a final at Wembley. We made a few changes, and that unbalanced us a little bit. But we got there."