Selection decision affects McCarthy axe odds

According to Ladbrokes, the Wolves manager’s price to get the axe has fallen from 16/1 to 12/1 after he made 10 changes to the side that beat high flying Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 last Saturday.

Wolves' starting XI at Old Trafford had made just 44 appearances between them this season, and were comprehensively beaten 3-0 against an under-strength United side.

And Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: "McCarthy’s decision has only heaped more pressure on him.

"Just when it appeared he was turning the corner following a good win at Spurs."

Phil Brown is still favourite for the chop at 7/4 with Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez in second place at 6/1.

Wolves took 3,400 fans to Old Trafford hoping to see their side pull off another shock against an injury-hit United, only to be left frustrated and disappointed with McCarthy’s team selection.

Arthur Williams, head of the North-West Wolves association told the BBC:  

"It's well catalogued that United haven't the best of defences at the moment, with injuries and so on, and I just thought with the likes of the players that were missing we just might have pressed on and got something out of it.

"Wolves sold out their allocation, paid £42 each, plus the time and cost of travelling, and my first reaction when I saw 10 changes and players playing out of position was, I thought, grossly disrespectful."

McCarthy could face punishment for his actions after Premier League chiefs asked for the Wolves manager to explain his team selection.

Under Premier League rule 20, section E, a team must field a full-strength side in all top-flight matches.

Gregg Davies

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.