Ferguson to Field Manchester United Reserves vs Blackpool. Should He Be Allowed?

Today the Guardian is reporting that Sir Alex Ferguson, with one eye on the following weeks Champions League final, plans to essentially field a reserve side for Manchester United’s last game of the season, a home clash with Blackpool.

Literally speaking, it is the managers prerogative how he utilises the players at his disposal, but the move could potentially hold serious ramifications for the relegation dog-fight.

Blackpool is currently the best placed of the three teams in the relegation positions, a point behind Wolves and three behind Birmingham and Blackburn.

At this critical stage of the season three points could prove critical, and if as expected, Manchester United gets the point they need to win the Premiership title at Blackburn on Saturday, the proposed squad rotation will be almost inevitable. If, though, by deliberately weakening his side, Blackpool is able to get something out of the match, a result that hypothetically speaking maintains their Premiership status, questions will be asked. United’s Carling Cup “reserve side” lost 4-0 to West Ham this season, these things are possible.

Blackpool has guaranteed their place in the neutrals hearts this season, with there battling, all action performances defying all pre-season expectations. Yet after a dismal recent run they find themselves in the position everyone expected they would be at the start of the season, staring directly into the relegation abyss.

This taken into account, should Alex Ferguson be able to make such stock changes with a match that could in essence define the season? As a United fan myself, I have no particular problem with the decision, whatever way it goes.  But putting myself in the shoes of a fan who’s team may be affected, I cant imagine I would be elated.

The likes of Gabriel Obertan, Bebe and Darron Gibson (the kind of player who would inevitably start the game), are entirely fallible. With a game of such significance, between two teams for whom the gulf in class would be minimal (assuming the reserves are played), passion could well be the deciding factor. Blackpool, with their Premiership lives at stake, or United who has just won the league…….

In the ultimate irony the team who has the most to lose from Fergie’s decision, the Wolves, were fined £25,000, for fielding a weakened team against none other than Manchester United in February last year. Talk about karma coming back to bite you.

If United wins the game the argument will become void, as the job of a manager is to send out a team to beat the opposition. If they drop points however, regardless of the “we have one eye on Barcelona” argument, there could be ramifications, not only for Wolves but for United themselves.