Is the Premier League to Blame for Mick McCarthy's Team Selection?

Mick McCarthy's team selection against Manchester United on Tuesday has hit the headlines this week and former England boss Graham Taylor has laid the blame firmly at the door of the Premier League.

Wolves boss McCarthy has been asked by the Premier League to explain why he made 10 changes for the 3-0 defeat to the champions at Old Trafford.

Just days earlier Wolves had put in an energetic display to win 1-0 at Spurs, and McCarthy made the decision to rest all 10 outfield players who took part in the victory - a move which has angered managers and fans alike.

But, as Taylor points out, if you're looking for someone to blame consider the Premier League.

England's top flight has become so lucrative that staying in the league has become a must for all 20 teams and McCarthy was clearly of the opinion that his men have a better chance of beating Burnley at the weekend if he rested his stars in midweek.

At Old Trafford Wolves fans voiced their disapproval by singing: "Where is out first team?"

But that will be forgotten if Wolves manage to survive come May next year. Indeed, McCarthy will argue that the decision was made to minimise Wolves' Premier League relegation odds.

Commenting on the issue, Taylor said: "The Premier League need to be careful because they have made this situation...The commercial success of the league is fantastic.

"The FA Cup and the League Cup have both been devalued by clubs being allowed to pick under strength sides.

"What Wolves have done may start a run of it in the Premier League, particularly if they beat Burnley... You could have other clubs looking at it and deciding that is the way they will go."

Over the years numerous teams have fielded weakened sides in the Premier League but it's hard to remember the last underdog to make wholesale changes against one of the Big Four.

There's no doubt that if this happens on a regular basis then the integrity of the league could come into question.

However, if Wolves put Burnley to the sword I'm sure the Molineux fans will be singing McCarthy's name again.

Meanwhile, pundits have already begun to cast their eyes over the potential runners in next year's Grand National as they look for possible success stories.