Manchester United May Field Weakened Team Against Hull
English Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said there is nothing to prevent Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson from fielding a weakened squad against Hull City on May 24th, even though league rules state every team should play its strongest side. Manchester may play a huge role in the relegation battle as play in Hull in the last game of the season.
If Hull wins, they are guaranteed to stay in the Premier League next season. However, Newcastle United, Middlesbrough and Sunderland, will feel that United should field a strong side as they are all fighting to stay in the League with Hull.
However, Ferguson’s main concern is the Champions League final which takes place just three days later on May 27th and Scudamore believes the current rules don’t apply as they did in the past because of squad rotation systems at many clubs. But the Red Devil’s second string players are better than many other clubs.
Scudamore told England’s BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s a rule that’s been there forever and it’s been in every competition: it’s also in the Carling Cup, the FA Cup. That was a rule that predates the squad system. You can’t alter the fact they’ve won the league and they’ve got the most significant game the following Wednesday against Barcelona.” He added that whatever squad Ferguson decides to field, he believes they will be going out to win.
There has alsso been talk of legal action if Hull beats a weakened Manchester team, but Scudamore believes that is far fetched.
Hull chairman Paul Duffen has refused to be drawn into the fuss and said his team is focused only winning the game. “Even if they put youngsters out they could still field 11 internationals and we have to focus on winning the game. We have to go out and beat Manchester United. Whoever comes out of that dressing room wearing a Manchester United shirt will play their heart out for their club,” said Duffen.
Sports News and Livescore by ScoresPro.com
Pingback by Manchester United May Field Weakened Team Against Hull on 23 May 2009:
[...] Original post by Sports News by ScoresPro.com [...]