Given that the FA recently charged Sir Alex Ferguson for praising a referee, it seemed impossible to imagine Manchester United would get away with resting players against Blackpool ahead of the Champions League final.
Both Hull and Blackpool have got in to trouble for making wholesale changes to their team, before reverting back to their usual XI the following week.
It would be ridiculous to ask United to play their strongest team in the league despite having already won the title, when the Champions League final is quickly approaching. Why on earth would we risk an injury?
However, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has suggested that United will be alright.
“We don’t need to remind clubs [of the rule]. The clubs are extremely professional. We’ve only applied the team strength rule twice in the last two years,” said Scudamore. “There won’t be wholesale changes in order to threaten the integrity of the competition, I’m sure of that. I don’t think we’ll be considering scrapping the rule. There is a lot of flexibility. We don’t sit here at the Premier League and second-guess managers in terms of who their strongest teams are. When somebody chooses to put 10 out they’ve not put out before, and then the following week drop those 10 and go back to the previous 10 for a single match, we think that is what the rule is designed to stop. It’s an extreme case. It’s not meant to stop teams deciding to change six, seven, eight or even evolve squads or evolve teams.”
Fergie has already confirmed that Darren Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov, Patrice Evra and Edwin van der Sar will play because they’re in need of a game ahead of Moscow, meaning there’s no way we could be accused of making wholesale changes.
Man Utd News 24/7
Firsssttt !!
… Scott its Wembley not Moscow
Lol.. always Moscow!
Its hard to forget it!
Off topic but just seen this comment by a bitter on the MEN site:
“This is getting ridiculous, will he stay won’t he stay.
Carlos needs to come out and tell US what is happening, not a radio station in Argentina.
I have a city away shirt with King Carlos on the back. Will Carlos reimburse for me this? I think not.
I also have a tattoo on my left arm, King Carlos – City Legend. Will Carlos pay for me to have this removed? Again I think not.
So come on Carlos, just tell us one way or the other. And if you do leave, don’t even bother getting on the bus for our parade.”
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! A tattoo with King Carlos – City Legend !! You could not make this up. Fucking giddy cunts.
They have a wish lists of players they want and the arrogance hold no bounds.
They say Iniesta for 60 million and players like this. Fuck off City you are nobodys. An FA Cup and suddenly they can buy anyone they want and will dominate for decades. Seen and heard it before and fergie has seen bigger challenges off than these jokers.
One clown even says if Tevez goes to Inter it “will be a step down”. As I say how fucking arrogant are these bastards?
wembley is the new moscow… because we are going to find glory at wembley as well
Good news.
Nothing that can ruin this weekend then, oh wait… tuftyisacunt
@King Eric
Haha!!! Mate that was GOLD, seriously that bertie tattooed chewbaca on his arm.
What’s with these city fans, are they going to tattoo every player that scores more than 10 goals a season on their bodies, first kaka then rooney (excuse me while I piss myself) now tevez.
We should find 11 city fans line them up and see if we can see their starting 11, seen as city fans have anyone that plays for them tattooed on their bodies.
Haha that was fucking funny mate.
Dre.FU – I know. I nearly choked on my cereal. They really are fucking idiots mate. They actually believe Ronnie may join them . One joker even talks about lashing 100 million for Messi. They genuinely believe they are a big club. Laughing stock of world football more like.
Don’t be bothered by City. Its just a FA Cup. Remember what happened to Portsmouth?
Marq – Exactly mate. Like Wimbledon and Coventry before them.
deluded bastards
i mean they must be real idiots to let every player get under their skin
@king eric
any where from city is astep up
off topic CR7 has a buyouclause of 900 million pounds
CR7 is valued at 1 billion
and forbes magazine says manchester uniteds value is 1.8 billion
wat the fucking hell
Haha.. Moscow??!
Yep, it’s a great memory… Hope Wembley will add to that and it stays for years… 19th title, AND the Champions league…. What, Fooking what!!!!!!
balague now says we want JUAN MATA
Lets play Bebe. That way no one will question that we didn’t put a strong team out there. Bebe is so strong he eats other people’s food.
sachu – I wish Balague the Rafa bumboy would fuck off. He spouts shite mate.
So what’s all the fuss about the banner tomorrow? Are we really going to hoist one that counts the years since City won the league? In my opinion, we should just drop the thing entirely. It was fun counting down the years, but everything has to end at some point.
@COSTAS
mate how abt sir alex and sir bobby in attack with dennis law
red nev in defence
bebe djemba djemba and kleberson in midfield with phelan
and kuscak in goal
This is why people look at the footballing authorities as an absolute joke. There is virtually no consistency in the way the rules are applied. Its as if two people were speed on a 30kph road, one gets stopped and the other is waved on. The rule of law should be dispassionately applied equally and in all cases not selectively applied and if the rules are stupid they should be changed e.g. once upon a time it was illegal to be Catholic in Britain, people saw that law made no sense in its application so they ditched it. Likewise this rule about a full strength side is nonsense. It should be ditched. The league cannot make sides pick 25 players for the season and then tell them actually some of those players aren’t good enough.
2 seasons and Carlos is King Carlos???
LOL
check out this interview by Ferdy – http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3593153/Rio-Ferdinand-says-Manchester-United-knew-the-title-was-theirs-on-the-day-Wayne-Rooney-signed-a-new-contract.html
and any predictions on the team for tomorrow??
Costas: Agree about the banner, we’ll find new ways to make fun of them (if they don’t do it all by them self that is!)… rubbing the EPL trophy up their faces? Hopefully an CL one as well ;o)
Morning all true REDS
King Eric – cracked me up that, deluded idiots….
On topic, I feel so blessed and relieved that we will not be punished, I mean phewww (written with extreme sarcasm)
Pity I missed out on a troll on other threads, oh well there is always next time.
@ King Eric
What a joke City fans are, can’t stand them and their bullshit reasoning.
Celebrating the FA Cup as if they’ve won the fuckin treble. And to top it all of they sincerely think they are unbeatable, dominating world football, can sign every fuckin player they want, and all that other bullshit
They are a fuckin laughing stock, that’s what they are.
On another note, can’t wait to see the 19 Champions mosaic tomorrow. The design is impressive.
@red man walking
kuzcak
neville pallister bruce irwin
bebe obertan hargraeves
dennis law sir bobby sir alex
we will win 3-0
Cunts
sachu
Hahaha – nice one buddy
If we start with Berbatov against Blackpool they’ll have to count themselves lucky if he only scores five. More than any other player this season he has thrived at Old Trafford. I don’t know if he marked his territory here or what, but OT is his turf and he’s absolutely murdered teams there, and I know it’s a team effort, but some of his performances have been among the best I’ve ever seen in a red shirt.
I don’t think I’ve said this about a game since Arsenal went to Barcelona, but I don’t think Blackpool have any chance whatsoever. I think they are a brave side, but I think once we get the first goal they’ll be resigned to their fate and the floodgates will open. Blackpool will want to go out fighting, I’m sure of that, but now teams have rumbled their style and they’ve lost the element of surprise they are horribly vulnerable. Blackpool are exactly the sort of team that Berbatov’s skills can hurt, because they are stacked with players who simply won’t have a clue what to do about him.
Looking forward to it.
More from King Eric’s post – What is it with bitters and tattoos? Bloody idiots
@doghouse
everyone saying blackpool are abreath of fresh air
well they have conceded 74 goals so far
so they are a breath of shit
5-0
relegated
Cedars – Hello friend. I know . What on earth is wrong with them? A Tevez tattoo isnt THAT bad considering he actually plays there (well at the minute). Its the Kaka and European Cup Winners ones that make me laugh.
Great post Doghouse.
do city fans have a tatoo of GOOD OLD BARRY
It’s the bit about wanting Tevez to pay for the tattoo removal that gets me, fuck me he didn’t make you get that tattoo and he never said he was gonna stay for life, in fact one look at the little scrote’s past behaviouor shoud tell you otherwise.
Nothing meant against tattoos in my post, I have one of United and another of George Best.. What I meant to say was them idiots get them pre mature ones, like that cunt with Rooney on his back and like King Eric says the one of European Cup winners tops the list!
King Eric – I am well buddy, I see you took good care of that troll yesterday
Manchester united started their campaign with a win at wembley against Chelsea and they will end their campaign with a win against barcelona.Its our destiny to win and we will win,
BELIEVE
city should have a tatoo of SUMMERBEE IN THERE ASS
Good Morning Manchester United
Good afternoon Cedars and to the rest of you around the world
Any of you guys own an Android phone?
Seems Rio Ferdinand released an Android app. He said he will be putting up videos + pics
of the trophy and after match celebrations! If possible, upload them!
i’m disappointed there’s no MCFC fans with Ronaldo tattoos yet. tsk tsk. poor.
Costas – Just in case I’m not on here tomorrow mate, happy birthday. I think It’s a day early lol.
MG – afternoon to you buddy.
jellybean – I am sure there is an idiot out there getting one as we speak…
Did I hear the number 19? must be going mad
Could be best to play players who are fighting for a place in the CL final and not players who are sure to start and might therefore approach Blackpool like it’s a friendly – not wanting to exhaust themselves or get injured etc. It would be a joke if anyone from the FA thought they were better judges than Fergie on how to manage a squad. A fine would be a farce.
But the same goes for Holloway and McCarthy. They should never have been punished when the big teams constantly rotate, often in four competitions in one season! People don’t rotate squads for shits and giggles. They don’t do it to stick two fingers up to the authorities. Sure, if there are real questions of integrity/corruption that’s different. But it happens for footballing reasons – I’ve seen it in all major leagues, the Champions League, the European Championships and even the German team that won the world Cup in 1954 played a reserve side in the early stages.
Costas
Your birthday coming up I hear? Have lots of lamb and booze… Enjoy the day buddy and warmest of wishes.
p.s. Hope you get some as well hahaha
@costas
you are going to get alate birthday present in the form of CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
@willie
Thanks mate.
Hopefully we will run into each other, but it doesn’t hurt to be premature with some things. 
@Cedars
Yeah mate. It’s tomorrow. It’s how the kebab story started. I said I’d buy you some if we lifted the trophy on the final day. Thanks for the wishes. And the suggestions, lol.
@sachu
I sure hope so. United already gave one Ch.League as a birthday present back 3 years ago. And know I am spoiled, lol.
http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/columnist/hunter_graham/id/6559131/cristiano-ronaldo-lionel-messi-rivals-end-soccer
Interesting article. Most of it doesn’t concern us. But the lines I personally enjoyed reading were:
“I’ve spent a good deal of time over the past few days in the company of people who work for Manchester United in various capacities, and they testify that Ronaldo could be much happier than he is at Real Madrid.”
“… It’s quite obvious, given his words and deeds, that he found the tactics chosen by Jose Mourinho for the “world series of soccer” against Barcelona both frustrating and infuriating.
But Ronaldo’s chagrin has not just stemmed from the Clasico matches. His friends at United suggest that he finds Real Madrid less organized than his former club, rife with politics and sporting schisms and with a dressing room that doesn’t have the same robust all-for-one spirit he experienced at Old Trafford. ”
Guess it wasn’t a better cow after all
@Costas
Happy B’day in advance mate!
Happy Birthday for tomorrow Costas. What is it. 28?
Man United a better run club than the virus? I thought everyone knew that lol.
@RedManWalking, King Eric
Thanks guys. Yeah, the ID says 28, but tomorrow we are all turning 19 actually.
@willie Its common sense mate. Yet some have to experience it to truly understand. I guess United are the only club with that kind of “All for One” spirit!
btw, a little irritated right now. Was having an argument with a “ManU fan” about Tevez. He thinks it was a mistake by Fergie to sell Tevez and that “King Carlos” was actually worth more than 30m. Spoiled my day for me! dumass!
@Costas
And first thing we do after turning 19 – We get us our own perch!
RedManWalking – I hope you put him right? lol. I’m indifferent to Tevez now. He scored some crucial goals for us, but acted like a twat, towards the end. He hasn’t changed that much either, as city fans have found out. Just another mercenary spit – the – dummy out – footballer.
Three years ago today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8bB2VYd9Uo
happy birthday costas hope you make it apparantly some crazy is predicting the end of the world today.
out of the teams battling to stay up blackpool and wigan deserve to stay, at least both teams play decent football,considering the size of the club blackpool have done amazingly well,i’d take a draw if it meant survival for them
@willie
Nothing seemed to enter his thick skull. He seemed to think that Tevez was all about passing and the most unselfish player you could see. Kind of realised we both saw different matches. I mean, for me, he was the most selfish player on the pitch. He used to run forward with the ball and shoot it wide, used to pass only if there was a chance he would get it back. He did score some crucial goals for us. But, no way was he worth 25m pounds. Anyways, he’s old news. Don’t care about him.
@wayne
Thanks my friend. Haha, yeah I’ve heard the theories. To be honest, my main worry wasn’t making it to 28. It was making sure I wouldn’t miss out on seeing Owen get his first league medal.
@ Kings – So much easier watching that shoot out knowing the outcome! I remember nearly throwing up at the time and came close to passing out after VDS save!!! AWESOME. So many things to look at when looking at the players but one comment from the commentator sticks in my mind (was it Tyler?) “What do you buy the man who has everything? (Abrovich). You can’t buy this!” Take note City!!
@ Wayne – I agree, wont lose any sleep if Birmingham, Wolves or Blackburn go down!
Happy Birthday Costas!
@mikekelly12
Thanks mate.
I like how I am getting all the wishes a day in advance. I blame willie, lol.
@wayne
By the way, did you hear about Randy Savage? Really depressing.
@Costas yeah mat a heart attack while driving?alot of those guys go like that,i guess years of taking steroids and pain killers catchs up with them. people criticize wrestling for being rigged but its a tough life.
mate
Kings -Just watched it ,fucking brilliant
RedManWalking – interesting fergie said ronaldo was the only player he would spend fortunes on to bring back to OT, the irony of my problems I have had with ronaldo, if by miracle he came back would I complain not a chance
@wayne
Yep. Heart attack while he was on the wheel. After a while you start getting used to hearing about wrestlers’ deaths, but that one hurt quite a bit. He was one of my favorites growing up. When you consider that some of them have died from heart attack at 29, by comparison Savage lived a full life at 59.
We have to win tomorrow. I need Berba to get the top goalscorer award.
Since the PL capped squad sizes at 25 and did all that rubbish, they need to drop this stupid rule about fielding strong teams. Managers should be able to field any team from the approved roster without fear of reprisal. It’s a joke.
Someone said it might be best for us to field players who are fighting for a place in the CL final. Trouble with that is, I feel sure that SAF already knows the team for Wembley. I think he’s kniown it for some time now and we saw a dry run of it against the rent boys recently. I think the only question mark is over Fletcher, who needs a run tomorrow for his fitness to be in contention. But SAF will nominally play a 442/4411 with Hernandez up-front, Rooney in the hole, Park left and TonyV right, and two of Giggs/Carrick/Fletcher/Scholes in the middle. The key to it will be the movement and energy of Park, TonyV and Rooney, who will squeeze Barca’s midfield, with Park/Tony coming inside and Rooney dropping back, especially Park and Rooney.
Don’t know if anyone saw Arsehole Whinger’s comments about the CL final, but for once I thought he was pretty good. He said Barca are tired after their recent battles with the virus, and actually said they “looked on their knees”. He said in his experience, it takes three weeks to recover from something like that and he doesn’t think Barca have had enough time. His most interesting comments were:
“I have an instinctive feeling that United will completely change their style against them this time [compared to 2009] and go for a rougher midfield, a more direct display than they did in Rome. It can mean playing [Javier] Hernandez, but use him as a runner to go very direct.”
And he finished off: “You know how Barcelona will play. You don’t know yet how Man United will play.”
Speaking from experience, eh, Arsene? Like the time we stuck it to you with a team half made up of defenders and still attacked the shit out of you? Bet you’ll never forget that day. Wonder what you must have thought when you saw that starting team sheet: Brown, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, O’Shea, Rafael and Fabio all on the field at the same time? hahaha! Life’s a bitch when you’re up against a tactical and motivational master like SAF, with such a versatile, tough and talented squad at his disposal. And I think Pep knows this too… or soon will.
@fitb
My thoughts exactly
But Fergie did say that he would pay a max of 60m for Ronaldo. And I don’t think the virus would sell him for a loss and Fergie wouldn’t splash out 150m for any player. But, it would be fairytale-like if he did return. Would love to hear “And Ronaldo scores for Manchester United!!” again!! Personally, I am keeping my fingers crossed 
@Costas
Sad thing about Savage. My favorite wrestler in those times were Shawn Michaels. Then The Rock came and completely changed WWF! You guys heard about Razor Ramon??
Dunno if you guys heard, but it is indeed Giggs who had the affair with Imogen. Think he’ll play in the CL final?
@RedManWalking
He is not doing too well either. Honestly, I am surprised he has lasted this long given his life style.
Edwin van der Sar, Darren Fletcher, Patrice Evra, Paul Scholes, Anderson, Dimitar Berbatov will play, according to Sir Alex.
WHY ON EARTH should we be charged for picking a weaker team. As long as they fit the bill for the 25 man squad rule then they should be picked. Don’t tell us who to pick. what kind of rubbish is that?
The FA is the most useless football organisation in Europe.
@Scotts: Moscow, that is so funny I’m crying with fond memories of the ‘great’ JT missing the pen.
You meant it as a joke as you knew the great JT was reading this right? Legend!
@Costas
Was reading an article the other day about how he was signed by some Japanese Wresting company and he was supposed to do a promo. He comes an hour late and completely stoned and cant even stand on his feet. Was shocked really. What a waste of talent. Anyways, the Rock’s doing good!
@Kings
Great memories mate. Was so relieved when that idiot fucked it all up.
@Drogahnus u serious mate?? It is Giggsy?? Of all people – Ryan Giggs???
why would giggs miss the cl final,not exactly earth shattering news a pro athlete cheating on his wife,rumors been out there for weeks,has nothing to do with him playing football
RedManWalking – it is a shame he did leave the club when we see whats going on in that
Costas – the only guys I see living past 60 is undertaker kane jericho big show and maybe HHH and austin
wayne – look at arni and his 10 year affair he had, and arnie is a cool guy
The Giggs revelation is pretty shit, the wrestling conversation is pretty shit, but which is worse? There’s only one way to find out – FIGHT!!
@FITB
Arnie, lol. The worst part about those news is that his movie comeback is delayed now. And I was looking forward to Terminator 5.
It’s really hard to tell which wrestler will live until 60 nowdays. Most of the guys from your bunch probably will. Not so sure about Big Show. His size will cause him a lot of problems from now on.
Costas, happy “19″th birthday buddy! What an occasion to celebrate
more a Bret Hart fan myself. his book is brilliant. Best there is, best there was, best there ever will be, just like United (see that seamless link back on topic?)
its easy to be pious i’m assuming none of us have top quality pussy in our faces begging to be fucked on a daily basis and i’m sure alot of us have banged the bar slut after a few.
women who marry into that kind of lifestyle understand the ups and downs,i’d lay odds his wife has known about it for a while still showed up at the awards with him.
pro athletes/movie stars/rock stars attract a certain type of woman who live the life and gets plently of benifits.in the nfl after a player retires divorce rate is sky high probably the same for most sports,once the player is no longer in the limelight the wife moves on and gets a decent chunk of money.
lets take rooneys wife would she have been famous without him not a chance,these woman knoew exactly whats involved and get well looked after
@fergie is the boss:
You forgot Mysterio mate! lol
I guess austin and the rock will genuinely make it past 60
Why is this Imogen complaining anyway? she got the dick, a signed shirt and some match tickets. that’s not bad for a nights work. I went on Bullseye once and all I got was a ‘bendy Bully’ and my bus fare home. :-p
@fitb
I know mate. Wish Ronaldo never left. I mean United made him into this fantastic player, then he goes to the virus that completely screw his game up. He is not as creative as he used to be. He does score goals, but I guess 1 goal in La Liga = 1.5 goals in PL for sure. He was way more creative at United and played much more exciting football! 2008 was epic!
@Unitedfanatic
Cant say anything about wrestlers, mate! Especially after Eddie Guerrero! And how old is Undertaker? Hasn’t he crossed 50?
@Whiteside
Giggsy’s case is worse! I held him in high regard. Still do. But, disappointed.
mikekelly12 – Hello mate. I was close to being sick when Ronnie missed his penalty, but when that clown fucked his one up, I felt a sense of relief and had a feeling we would win it from that point. What a great night that was.
man_utd_19 – Yeah great memories my friend.
Costas – Happy birthday for tomorrow mate.
Cyril Sneer – Lol. Bully for you.
LLOOK enough about giggs and Imogen. Non – story. Not the first star and not the last to sleep with a woman desperate to bring him down. Just do what i do and don’t read those useless stories.
Kings – I have been having a right argument with some idiot on youtube, that I think ronaldo is nothing more than a selfish player. He says ronaldo is breaking all sorts of records, LOL yea in the glorified scottish league
fergie is the boss – Hello mate. You are absolutely right, he is fucking selfish and his goalscoring exploits in the Spanish League is comaparible to that of Kris Boyd for Rangers before he came down south and has failed miserably in the Championship. Granted Ronnie had a record breaking season for us in 2008, but the Spanish League is becoming more and more of a joke. I don’t hate the guy as he helped us win the big prizes, but I will not put him up there with the likes of Robbo or Cantona as a United legend.
Kings
Afternoon buddy….
Spot on mate regarding Ronaldo, I am like all United supporters very grateful to what he did for the club but if the likes of Sir Bobby, Best, Robbo, Cantona and co are referred to as legends and rightly so then in no way will I ever refer to Ronaldo as one.
@Unitedfanatic, Kings
Thanks a lot guys.
@Cyril Sneer
Heh, Bret is my all time favorite too. He is the excellence of execution. Like Chicharito in front of goal.
CedarsDevil – Hello my friend. Spot on with that last post of yours mate. We know who the real legends are.
Costas – It’s my pleasure, friend.
I’m sure it’s a freudian slip, but we are not going to Moscow.
Been there, done that, got the shirt with 3 Cups on it.
I do hope we get the same result….
Oh god. Not fucking wrestling again lads!! Seriously how do you lads enjoy it? I hate it. Bunch of fucking ponces doing coreographed moves. Its shite. Its fixed. Its a terrible sport if you can call it that. Each to their own. Ha ha.
Why wouldn’t giggsy play next week just because he has smashed some bitch?
@King Eric
More than the choreographed moves, I enjoy the promos!
@Cedars and Kings
I agree that players like Charlton, Best and Cantona mean a lot more to United than Ronaldo and are therefore more deserving of the title “legend” but keep in mind that regardless of how many goals he scores for RM, if he does not achieve the same success with them as he did with us then history will remember him as mainly a “Portugal and Manchester United legend”.
At United, he reached the top of the world. At Real, he’s currently 2nd best to Messi and Barcelona, and that does not look like changing anytime soon.