Manchester United should be docked six Premier League points due to the "disrespectful" team fielded against Leicester, says former England international Trevor Sinclair.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes to his starting line-up from United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa, amid a period where his side have three Premier League games in five days. United lost 2-1, confirming Manchester City as champions and boosting Leicester's top-four hopes.
However ex-City player Sinclair has called for hefty sanctions against Man United for fielding a team that contained the likes of 19-year-old Anthony Elanga and 18-year-old Amad Diallo, while Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and co. were on the bench.
Part of the reason for United's fixture pile-up is that the original fixture against Liverpool was postponed due to the fan protests at Old Trafford. And therefore Sinclair believes United must be held responsible for "failing to safeguard their stadium" on 2 May.
"Without being disrespectful to the players that played tonight, they made 10 changes, this is their B-team," Sinclair told talkSPORT on Tuesday.
"I think that's disrespectful and it takes away from the top-four race.
"Why didn't the police and the club make amendments and make sure they safeguard the stadium? They didn't do that.
"The teams that are going to suffer from Man United's lack of due diligence, the ones who could miss out on the top four, are Chelsea possibly, Liverpool, West Ham and Tottenham.
"I think there needs to be a punishment for Man United. Three points isn't enough because that doesn't affect anything.
"I honestly feel the way they put out this team, the way they didn't safeguard their stadium, I think a six-point deduction should be given to Manchester United."
A six-point deduction this season would see United - currently on 70 points - back level with Chelsea in fourth on 64 points and right in the midst of a top-four battle.
The counterargument would be that Solskjaer, as United manager, is entitled to utilise his 25-man Premier League squad in any way he chooses and the club certainly didn't break any rules.
With Manchester United's place in the top four confirmed, a Europa League final to come on 26 May, not to mention a game against Liverpool this Thursday, Solskjaer had to choose a game to rest his key first-team players or risk burnout.
The game against Leicester at Old Trafford was still a close one with Luke Thomas scoring a fantastic volley - his first Premier League goal - to put the visitors ahead, Mason Greenwood equalising, before Caglar Soyuncu headed in a second-half winner.
However that will be little comfort to the teams below Leicester that saw them take three vital points in their bid for Champions League football next season.
And Trevor Sinclair clearly feels such an under-strength United XI deserves punishment from the Premier League. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Leicester City, Manchester United, Trevor Sinclair, Premier League
