Manchester United should be docked six points for fielding a weakened team against Leicester City on Tuesday, according to former Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair.
The Foxes recorded a vital 2-1 victory at Old Trafford to strengthen their grip on a top four place and an all-important place in next season’s Champions League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made 10 changes to his starting line-up from Sunday’s victory at Aston Villa, with one eye on Thursday night’s rearranged Premier League clash at home to Liverpool.
With three matches in the space of five days, it is little surprise that United made mass changes to their line-up against Brendan Rodgers’ side, but Sinclair believes the club should be punished for rotating their side.
Amad Diallo made his first start for the club while Swedish forward Anthony Elanga made his first senior football appearance in a much-changed side.
Youth graduates Brandon Williams and Axel Tuanzebe also made rare starts while the more experienced Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Alex Telles, Eric Bailly, Donny van de Beek and David De Gea also were in the XI that fell to a narrow defeat.
Sinclair told talkSPORT on Wednesday: “Without being disrespectful to the players that played tonight, they made ten changes, this is their 'B' team.
“I think that's disrespectful and it takes away from the top four race.
“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.”
