Stand-in Reds out to impress

ONE week after being crowned champions, Manchester United will on Sunday have a major say in which teams are relegated from the Premier League.

And there is certain to be controversy with manager Sir Alex Ferguson set to field a much-weakened team at Hull, who know that victory over the Reds would ensure their survival.

Just how depleted the Reds’ line-up will be is subject to considerable speculation, but there is little chance of Ferguson risking the majority of his senior players three days before the final of the Champions’ League against Barcelona in Rome.

Ferguson’s team selection is certain to irritate Newcastle whose survival hopes hang by a thread and could well depend on Hull losing, which you would expect if United paraded all their big guns at the KC Stadium.

Only Darren Fletcher, suspended for the Euro final, and central defender Rio Ferdinand, who needs to prove his fitness after injury, are likely to be regular first-team players lining up at Hull.

Ironically, United’s decision to play a fringe team may work against Hull.

The young players will have plenty to prove and a hungry side can be even more dangerous than a supremely-talented one which has already achieved its aim.

Sunday’s game will provide the likes of the untried Ben Amos, James Chester, Craig Cathcart, Richard Eckersley and Zoran Tosic the chance to prove they have what it takes to reach the top.

And with places on the substitutes’ bench in Rome up for grabs, others will be giving their all to be involved.

The likes of Gary Neville, Nani, Darron Gibson, Federico Macheda and Danny Welbeck could all be among the substitutes in the Champions’ League final.


United ‘will be professional’

BARCLAYS Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore does not believe league rules do – or should – prevent Sir Alex Ferguson from fielding a weakened United team against Hull on Sunday.

Under Premier League rules, teams are obliged to field their strongest possible side, but Scudamore feels that requirement is outdated.

He said: "That's a rule that's been there forever - it's also in the Carling Cup and the FA Cup. That was a rule which predated the squad system.

"You have to be realistic. They have got a squad – everyone says the strength of that squad is what won them the league – and therefore you can't argue that they deploy the benefit of that squad in a game on Sunday."

Whatever side Ferguson chooses, Scudamore still believes United will be going all out for the win.

“Manchester United are the most professional of professional football clubs and they will put out a team to go out and do their absolute best."