They took out the E20 rule once the hypocrisy and double standards when enforcing it became too obvious.
It's controversial. I can see both sides to the argument. United have earnt the right to make changes and do as they please, but then.. Arsenal and Spurs both had to face near full strength United sides when they went to Old Trafford. I don't have sympathy for Arsenal or Spurs, if they don't get top 4 it's their own fault but I do feel for the United fans that probably wanted to see Carrick, Rooney and other United stars. Especially as half of them probably have taken flak off their Chelsea mates for the defeats in the Cups.
Utd have a big squad and SAF has rotated it all season. Carrick is the only player to be left out who has been a certain pick if fit.
De Gea, Ferdinand, Rooney, Kagawa and you could even make an argument for Scholes in that sort of match.
Going through to the CL in a lucky fashion doesn't bode well for that team when the competition starts as City found out. They went through by an own goal and when they arrived they found that they weren't good enough as we saw. If you cheat at an exam for college when you arrive at that college you find that it's too difficult for you because you don't have the intelligence for it. It's the same principle with qualifying for the top competition in football. Cheat,get lucky or face weakened teams beforehand and that team just won't be good enough. Yes,it applies to Spurs as well. Somebody posted that we would be an undeserving team if we qualify for it,well maybe or maybe not. If he's taking a poor performance to beat Saints 1-0 into account well the other two matches were 1-0 so fate took a hand last weekend in making all three matches identical. Arsenal scored in the first minute against the bottom club and Chelsea in the 87th minute had a lucky own goal. I suppose they get the luck when it matters don't they? No,I'm not bitter either. Well it's still all to play for but our form must improve and there's little time left. I'm still hopeful. Newcastle can put one over on Arsenal,howaay the lads.
You scored in the 87th minute by which all and sundry conceded Southampton were the better side. On the balance of play Chelsea and Arsenal probably deserved their wins. Football is a 90 minute game, you can score during anytime within that period.
You scored in the 94th minute and an own goal in the 87th but that's not my point DL. There was nothing lucky about Bale's goal was there? Also haven't Saints beaten Liverpool,City and Chelsea recently?
At Anfield we conceded a 97th minute goal to a player that shouldn't have even been on the pitch, assisted by a player.... Who shouldn't have even been on the pitch. Were we lucky with the deflection? Yes. But then again we took the game to United and created the better openings one of which was an effort that rebounded off the post back into the arms of their GK. Saints beat all of the teams you mentioned but none of those games were away. They are a home team and have picked up only 1 point away from home against the top 7.
Not sure that too many of them would be worried about a Rooney non-appearance - his performances for a while have been less than inspiring to say the least!! If anything, not playing him would be to strengthen them. Trouble is, the replacements yesterday were even worse!!
You posted a link to Rafael out on this piss after the game, not sure what that has to do with the Daddies of London thread or the topic of United's team selection. I don't think it belongs on this thread or anywhere on our board.
It was in general context with the discussion on the thread re: United team selection and their attitude in the build up to and during the game.
I kinda was if you re-read the discussion from the last 2 pages. You seem very sensitive today YV. No harm was really done was it?
