United allowed to field weakened team says Scudamore
By Mike Collett, Reuters
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Ferguson may be tempted to field a weakened team against relegation threatened Hull
Manchester United have every right to field a weakened team against Hull City on Sunday even though it could have an impact on the relegation battle, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has said.
Manchester United, who clinched the Premier League title last weekend, face Barcelona in the Champions League final in Rome next Wednesday and manager Alex Ferguson is considering resting some of his senior players for the match at Hull.
"You can't alter the fact they've won the league and they've got the most significant game the following Wednesday against Barcelona," Scudamore told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"You have to be realistic: they've got a squad, and therefore you can't argue that they deploy the benefit of that squad in a game on Sunday."
Hull, however, are deeply involved in a battle to avoid relegation with Sunderland, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough.