Should United be allowed to field a weakened side?
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Interesting debate going on at the Guardian site about whether United should be penalised in the event that they field a reserve side against Hull this weekend in the games that will decide who gets relegated. Maybe a points deduction? (Scousers prick up their ears!)
There is a school of thought that seems to be saying United's reserves will still be better than Hull.
My own thoughts which don't seem to be consistent with the masses (so what's new?) is that the league season is 38 games not 37 and United have a duty to respect others in the competition. That said, big clubs often rest their best players before CL games or where they have a few fixtures to play in quick succession.
Playing Devil's advocate here for a second, I wonder what SAF would have to say if the boot was on the other foot? Imagine United's championship chances coming down to the final day and their closest rivals are playing a team that will be under strength for some reason or another. You can guarantee he would be bleating like mad!!
In a way, I hope he does play a weakened team and Hull take full advantage as I would love to see the barcodes go down. They're long overdue a relegation.
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Can't wait for Rafa to pipe up about respecting other teams given SAF's disapproval of a lil hand gesture.
I vote a points deduction, only 6 or 7 points though - a slap on the wrist...
I vote a points deduction, only 6 or 7 points though - a slap on the wrist...
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This is a tricky one cos it's hard to say what a weakened side is. If Kuzczak, Rafael, Nani, Macheda, Tevez etc. played, it's not a bad team.
I think SAF will rest the guys that have played a lot recently, Rooney, Ronaldo, and those with niggly injuries such as Rio. But the team could still be something like Kuzczak, Rafael, Evans, Vidic, O'Shea, Park, Anderson, Gibson, Nani, Tevez, Macheda.
Scholes and Giggsy will be there or there abouts, as will Berbatov. I reckon anyways.
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I have no problem with it and would rest my best players if I was in SAF shoes. He wants to do whats needed to win the CL final.
Besides, if the other teams hadn't been so crap for the last 37 games, they wouldn't have to be relying on Hulls result against ManYoo.
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At the end of the day the team SAF fields is going to include some rather talented players, who will more than likely beat Hull. If United lose 4-1 then you could argue they were a weaker side...
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Yep. It's his team so he can field any team he wants. It is a good chance to blood some young players in a game that means a lot to the opposition but nothing realistically to Man U. Who are the FA to decide where and when a club can field reserve players or rest their stars. If they hadn't botched the schedule and put the last match of the season only 3 days ahead of the largest global event in club football, this might never have had to happen.
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They've earned the right to field whatever team they deem necessary, keeping in mind their schedule... I know what I'd do in SAF's position. And I sure as hell wouldn't risk my top players in a game that has (for him) nothing at all on it... with the CL final 3 days later.
No brainer (and as UG said, possibly no brains when scheduling lol).
No brainer (and as UG said, possibly no brains when scheduling lol).
E + R + O
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i have to admit a weakend United side would still do the job most other clubs would love ot be able to do. I can understand the logic, the title is won so why not? Might give Hull a chance of staying up too!
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
The Ruf, The Ruf, The Ruf is on Fire!!
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Yes they should be able to do whatever they want to do.
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Having said that I really do hope Hull get relegated.
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They've earned the right to field whatever team they deem necessary, keeping in mind their schedule... I know what I'd do in SAF's position. And I sure as hell wouldn't risk my top players in a game that has (for him) nothing at all on it... with the CL final 3 days later.
No brainer (and as UG said, possibly no brains when scheduling lol).
No brainer (and as UG said, possibly no brains when scheduling lol).
Is right. Sure, its 38 games, but they've wrapped the title up so they can, and should be able to, play whoever they want.
However, I think a 6 point deduction if they drop points would suit us!
El-Kun2009-05-20 15:20:31
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They've earned the right to field whatever team they deem necessary, keeping in mind their schedule... I know what I'd do in SAF's position. And I sure as hell wouldn't risk my top players in a game that has (for him) nothing at all on it... with the CL final 3 days later.
No brainer (and as UG said, possibly no brains when scheduling lol).
No brainer (and as UG said, possibly no brains when scheduling lol).
Is right. Sure, its 38 games, but they've wrapped the title up so they can, and should be able to, play whoever they want.
However, I think a 36 point deduction if they drop points would suit us!
E + R + O
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They can field whoever they want.
If Newcastle go down because of it they only have themselves to blame.
Oh, and Rafa and his 'FACTS' can f**k off.
If Newcastle go down because of it they only have themselves to blame.
Oh, and Rafa and his 'FACTS' can f**k off.
Three for me, and two for them.
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Agree Buffon II - the players have to be registered to play in the comp so if they're registeredyou havwe to assume they're good enough - hey SAF thought playing a weakened side the FA Cup semi was do-able and we were only a dodgy penalty decision away from making that too.
Peoples Republik of Aucklandia
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I agree with the masses here... he can play whoever he wants. Shoulda done this one as a poll...
Pity the final round is always on a sunday UK time - makes monday-itis all the worse over here... lookin forward to the little table in the corner etc though, is always dramatic!
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Oh, and Rafa and his 'FACTS' can f**k off.
explain...
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Alex can do what he likes. And I hope Hull beat us so they can stay up [:B]
HULL FTW!!!
HULL FTW!!!
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I have detected a very strong hatred for liverpool in a few of buffon's posts... gotta love the passion 
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It may be of interest that Burnley were fined a hefty sum in the early 60s for fielding a under-strength team in the league because of upcoming fixtures in the European Cup (QF) and FA Cup (SF). The opponents Chelsea were considered easy-beats and it backfired slightly as Burnley's reserves only managed a 4-4 draw.
How times change.
How times change.
I know, I know, its serious!
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No doubt they should be able to do what they want. They have one the league and deserve to do what the club wants to do.
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No doubt they should be able to do what they want. They have one the league and deserve to do what the club wants to do.
I am sure that United fans don't always agree with Sir A, but in this case I would rest all my top players.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
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Hull will beat any team SAF puts out. We scored 3 past them at Old Trafford and will put 6 in this week.
Of course that is a completel unbiased view
Its no longer a problem.
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Hull will beat any team SAF puts out. We scored 3 past them at Old Trafford and will put 6 in this week.
Of course that is a completel unbiased view
Anything that helps Newcastle go down.
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I actually hope hull stay up..
ive got a song that wont take long, Adelaide are rubbish.. the second verse is same as the first.. ADELAIDE ARE RUBBISH
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I actually hope hull stay up..
Ditto to that and good that they did even though the weakened United team did their bit for the Geordies. Fortunately Newcastle really are a sorry shower of sh*t this year and can't have any complaints.
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