 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Wolverhampton Wanderers may face a Premier League rap after manager Mick McCarthy made ten changes in the team at Manchester United.
McCarthy left out every outfield player from the side that won 1-0 away at Tottenham on Saturday, The Sun reports.
Wolves face fellow strugglers Burnley on Sunday and rested key men, as Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Antonio Valencia goals put United joint top with Chelsea.
Fans reacted angrily with chants of "we want our money back" and there were also songs of "where is our first team" and "£40 to watch the reserves" from the away end.
McCarthy defended his move by saying: "I played the best team available to me. The fittest, best and strongest I could pick, that hadn't played on Saturday. That was my best team available because they were all fresh legs."
"I can understand the fans but that is my first team. I've got 21 players to pick from and they are all first-team players. I hope fans understand that. My decisions will be judged on whether we stay in the Premier League," he added.
Section E, paragraph 20 of the Premier League's handbook stated: "In every League match each participating club shall field a full-strength team."
A fine - or even the deduction of points - is within the powers of the Premier League.
Last season United boss Alex Ferguson made 11 changes at Hull ahead of the Champions League final despite Tigers being in a relegation scrap.