Manchester United must be fined if they pick fringe team says Wolves owner

John Curtis,Pa
Thursday 19 May 2011 10:40 BST
Comments
Ferguson is expected to rest some players ahead of the Champions League final
Ferguson is expected to rest some players ahead of the Champions League final (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wolves owner Steve Morgan believes Manchester United should be fined by the Premier League if they field a weakened side in their final game against relegation-threatened Blackpool.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has taken that step in the past for matches with West Ham and Hull on the last day of league campaigns.

United face the Seasiders at Old Trafford on Sunday, less than a week before the Champions League final, with speculation mounting that Ferguson will rest several key players.

Wolves were handed a suspended £25,000 fine for making 10 changes for a match against United last season and Blackpool were fined during this campaign for adopting the same approach at Aston Villa.

Morgan said: "We can only do what we have to do.

"I don't know what they will do. United are a very professional club and will not want to lose on the final day, on the day they get presented with the Premier League trophy.

"They are not going to want to lose going into the Champions League final."

But, when asked if he expected United to be fined by the Premier League if they field a weakened side, Morgan said: "It would be pretty hypocritical if they weren't (fined)."

Wolves will stay up if they beat Blackburn at Molineux, but Morgan insists the club would not go into financial meltdown if they are relegated.

Morgan said: "The current players' contracts depend on which division they are in, everybody.

"I know that's not true at a lot of clubs where they've got certain players who are on the same whatever happens.

"Everyone here has got that sort of contract. That's what we do. It is financial suicide to do anything other than that.

"Your revenue would drop by £30million if we go down so who the hell is going to pick that up?"

Wolves made a £9million profit last season and Morgan believes all clubs should aim to live within their means.

He said: "We've seen what happened with Portsmouth. They went on a spending spree, brought lots of players in, they won the cup, and then they almost went into oblivion.

"This short-term mentality in football is ludicrous. People have to think longer term and start thinking what they are doing.

"We were the third highest spenders in the Premier League last summer so it's not as if we are not spending on players. We spent a net £18million.

"Mick McCarthy will have money to spend again this summer but it is all about balance.

"Is it too much of an ask that clubs are run fiscally correct? I don't think it is.

"The graveyard is full of them who haven't done that."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in