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The Red Devils' boss feels he has every right to choose his own squad despite the rules...

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said a rule stating that every team has to use a full strength side for every Premier League game would never work.

The Red Devils' boss has been criticised recently for being reportedly ready to field an understrength side against Hull City at the KC Stadium on the last day of the season.

This has angered Sunderland, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough, who have all allegedly threatened legal action as they are involved in the relegation scrap with Hull.

However, Ferguson has his own interests to look after, with the Champions League final less than five days away, and it was thought that he would rest his stars so they could be used in the final against Barcelona on Wednesday.

Ferguson has claimed that it is not possible to win trophies without rotating your squad, and feels that the rule making it obligatory to field one's strongest side is a relic of a bygone age.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Ferguson said, "It has never been practical for years now.




The United chief made some major changes to his squad that played Middlesbrough recently, and won that game, as well as making changes for the FA Cup semi-final against Everton.

"If we had lost that game at Middlesbrough there would have been a huge hue and cry," continued Ferguson.

"But I believe it is a good thing you are able to use your squad.

"If you look at my squad now the number of games they have all played is evenly spread out. Jonny Evans has played around 37 games, which is fantastic for us and for him because he gets experience.

"The idea is to get everyone making a contribution.

"Once you have a large squad, unless you utilise it, you are going to lose players anyway because they will want to move on to somewhere where they are going to make some contribution."

The Red Devils have already re-claimed the Premier League trophy, and are now intent on retaining their Champions League crown, an achievement never before seen under the current European format.

Nick Turner,


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