Sir Alex Ferguson believes it is time the Premier League scrapped the rule which is supposed to force managers to play their best team in every game.
The regulation was put forward earlier this week as the reason Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle might take legal action against Manchester United for the team they are likely to put out at Hull.
Acutely aware of the importance of the occasion, Ferguson has tried to calm fears of a half-hearted United performance at the KC Stadium but concedes; "It has never been practical for years now."
Given the Red Devils face Barcelona in the Champions League final on Wednesday, it is inevitable the vast majority of his senior stars will not even make the trip across the Pennines, let alone actually play.
Such a stance would appear to flout Premier League rules.
However, given the squad systems now in operation, Ferguson does not feel it is an effective law anyway.
"Richard Scudamore has more or less said that and he is chief executive of the Premier League, so he is speaking from a position of authority," he added.
"The modern day game is about a squad. Everyone uses it, even teams fighting down at the bottom.
"The days when Liverpool won the league only using 14 players are no longer possible. Nobody even thinks about that now."
Comment 10 - 29 of 29
Sir Alex Ferguson has every right to pick up his team for a match. He is considering the matches of the whole season, not just one or two games. As far as he is making his decision for the good of his team, he has nothing to be blamed. The interests of the other teams would be none of his concern.
Who decides which is the best team? SAF, The FA, the opposing team, the fans or is the jealous and annoying Rafa and his bunch of looserfool looosers?
John G
Not every man u fan is an armchair supporter i have been to old trafford many times just because do not live in manchester does not mean i can support the team of my choice. Does every one that supports liverpool come from liverpool? i dont think so, so grow up and stop winging know one ever remembers who came second in the premier league fact. your first 11 are equal to all the top 4 what you lack is depth, players 12-22 are not good enough (even though you have spent more money over the last 3 seasons than the big 3) you need this amount of players if you are to succeed over a whole season you cant rely on gerrard and tores being fit for all the time,it would also be good if liverpool brought some homebased players for a change rather than spanish.
post 25 adrian.dennis2486
Spot on mate, liverpool fans always make this point about man utd fans living outside manchester, I seem to recall the 80's when liverpool were winning trophies (a long time ago now) in those days you would see kids all over the uk including London wearing liverpool kits, in fact you still see it nowadays. So its rubbish for them to assume such nonsense.
John G
Not every man u fan is an armchair supporter i have been to old trafford many times just because do not live in manchester does not mean i can support the team of my choice. Does every one that supports liverpool come from liverpool? i dont think so, so grow up and stop winging know one ever remembers who came second in the premier league fact. your first 11 are equal to all the top 4 what you lack is depth, players 12-22 are not good enough (even though you have spent more money over the last 3 seasons than the big 3) you need this amount of players if you are to succeed over a whole season you cant rely on gerrard and tores being fit for all the time,it would also be good if liverpool brought some homebased players for a change rather than spanish.
The "squad system" is here to stay. Let's all just accept it and move on!
Well, since Fergie's "best" United have the UCL final, and like David said, It is not up to United to keep you up. Also in another article it said bottom 6 clubs were threatening United to sue United for putting up a weaker team.
..
U
Sir Alex,
I think the rule states should play their best Team.
In a Legal sense you would win.
Should is different From Shall or Must.
The Squad is the whole team and you can pick and choose who you want.
How can players get experience if you are good enough you play regardless of age.
Keep up the Good Work we are all proud of you and the whole set up at Man United.
From top too Bottom.
Sir Alex,
I think the rule states should play their best Team.
In a Legal sense you would win.
Should is different From Shall or Must.
The Squad is the whole team and you can pick and choose who you want.
How can players get experience if you are good enough you play regardless of age.
Keep up the Good Work we are all proud of you and the whole set up at Man United.
From top too Bottom.
On the issue of fielding weaker teams for certain games.....Most EPL managers, certainlky the managers of the so-called BIG FOUR have done this throughout the season. Arsenal, United, Chelsea and Liverpool have all fielded weaker teams when contesting the Carling Cup, saving the more valuable squad members for matches deemed more important. I feel it a little sad for the clubs in the relegation struggle to be whining about this now. After all is said and done, if they hadn't been so awful throughout the season, they wouldn't be in the situation now. Uniteds first duty is to its shareholders, board members, players and fans. The Champions League Final is far more important than a League fixture against Hull City, especially when the title is already decided. The fact that others may suffer as a result of United fielding a weaker team is irrelevant. It's not up to United to get you out of trouble, it's up to you. If you can't, then it's tie for you to go.
John G, well said Sir. I am a life long United supporter, and prior to my emigrating, was a season ticket holder at Old Trafford. Whilst I genuinely believe United to be the best thing since sliced bread, I can appreciate the style of football played by the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, all of whom have some very good players.
I have never felt the need to insult or belittle opposing teams or their supporters, as, hopefully, my team will do the belittling for me on the pitch. It doesn't always work out that way, but oh well. This doesn't mean that I am not passionate about my team, I am, but I'm still able to have a beer in a bar with a rival supporter and discuss the game in a reasonable manner. Sadly, over here, most yanks don't have a clue....lol....but the weathers nice.
2 Points worthy of mention to all you no brainers out there, regardless of which tribe you profess to be aligned with. Firstly, If the FA can't enforce a rule that allowed a non-registered West Ham player to send Sheffield United down from the premiership, then don't expect it to have any teeth against Man U. and secondly, to all the geordie morons bleating in advance - don't blame Man U for fielding 11 reserves - you would too. You got yourselves in this s**t - get yourselves out - oops sorry you can't can you - you are already relying on someone else saving you. Lets face it marra, as an impartial observer I would rather an English Club won the European Cup than the magpies clung on again - looks to me like you'll have to sell another steel company to get back up!!
Michael C i am a life long Liverpool fan and in all the years i have supported them i have never called the supporters of any team SCUM, so why do the so called fans that includes YOU feel you have the right to insult people you don't even know SCUM but i'm not surprised it seems to be the regular comment from the so called success following never even been to old trafford so called Man U fans. Do everybody a favour and get a life better still go and learn the manners you so obviously lack!!!!!!!
DON'T MIND THEM FERGIE! THE CHAMPION LEAGUE IS OUR PARAMOUNT. BARCA HAS NOT BEEN USING MESSI AND HENRY WHY SHOULD YOU USE OUR BEST. OUR ACADEMY CAN BEAT 100 HULL CITY ANY DAY ANY TIME
DON'T MIND THEM FERGIE! THE CHAMPION LEAGUE IS OUR PARAMOUNT. BARCA HAS NOT BEEN USING MESSI AND HENRY WHY SHOULD YOU USE OUR BEST. OUR ACADEMY CAN BEAT 100 HULL CITY ANY DAY ANY TIME
yahoocat are you really that dumb, what detriment could liverpool fielding a weakend team have over man utd over the last 15 years, we have always been in a better position than them full stop, wake up stop dreaming, get rid of the green eyed monster and think before you write. micpando your a paranoid idiot he was actually complimenting the scum as he compliments each manager that wins the league. thankfully for us he will ever compliment that fat spanish waiter.
get a life
United will beat Hull even if the acadamy side plays.
Think about it, if he played the full strength squad, which player would risk injury or fatigue by giving 100%. The team that plays will have the chance to impress and as such will give more effort and show more determination.
United to win 2-0. (The under 12's would probably win 1-0 anyway!)
Cheat!
It's a ludicrous rule, and I can't believe how any sensible person(s) could even contemplate bringing it in. While there is a logic along the lines of the prevention of abuse or corruption (i.e. some sort of 'fixing' where a Club would field an inferior Team in order to lose and therefore influence the result), to see this as a means to prevent it is just retarded. The only winners trying to enforce such a rule would be the officials or whoever have the mandate or authority to 'judge', and then I suppose there would have to be appeals and tribunals to review and challange any decisions, and what is to stop them being 'influenced' in turn? Crass idiocy. While I can symapthise with any attempt to prevent match 'fixing', what a dog's breakfast of a solution. Might as well bring in a rule that forces players to always play at their best, and just how would that be measured? Why would any Club want to lose a game? The only incentive I could think of is money, i.e. bribery. Is this not just fraud or blackmail, and that is against the law anyway. Bah! Humbug!
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