"I must say it was an absolutely fantastic performance," Ferguson told Sky Sports News.

The Red Devils showered the Premiership strugglers with a brace from Wayne Rooney and strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson to book their FA Cup final place.

Ferguson hailed the consistency of his side following last Tuesday's 7-1 demolition of Roma in the UEFA Champions League.

"It was even maybe as good as Tuesday in terms of the endurance of the team, the courage of the team and accepting the disappointment I had with Rio Ferdinand being injured and changing the team around.

"It was absolutely magnificent - I'm so proud of them."

The Scotsman also heaped his praises on individual performances from the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney and Alan Smith.

"I think Ronaldo has been with us all season. It was his 21st goal today and he could go on to score 25 in the form he's in.

"Wayne played his best game of the season today, I thought he was absolutely fantastic.

"Smith has been a breath of fresh life to the team. He has come in at the right time.

"He is over his injury problem, he has been training fantastic and he's doing fantastic for us."

United will face the winner from the Chelsea-Blackburn clash on Sunday.