UEFA have confirmed that clubs will be able to use five substitutions in European competitions this season.
That means Manchester United and Manchester City will be able to use five subs in the Champions League - despite being unable to do so in the Premier League.
Premier League clubs controversially voted against allowing five substitutes this season, instead reverting back to three subs per game.
The news will be welcome to managers concerned over fixture congestion in a truncated 2020/21 season, with more players now being given a brief respite in one competition.
Europe’s top clubs had already lobbied UEFA to allow five subs per game for this season after only three subs were permitted in the qualifying rounds of European competitions.
Multiple managers of English clubs involved in Europe have previously spoken out against the decision not to allow five subs a game this season.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has previously spoken of his anger at only being permitted to use three subs this season.
He said: “I don’t understand why in this incredible period when everyone is concerned about Covid-19 and everyone is not allowed to go to restaurants, or should observe social distance and is not allowed to do what you want to do - in this incredible schedule we have after the pandemic, and (after) we finished the season late and started quickly - how we cannot protect the players with five substitutions. Instead we stick to three.
“When the argument is that it favours the top five or top six, it’s because the people don’t understand absolutely anything.
“The guys who are going to play (in teams) below the top five or six teams - the teams that people suggest are the stronger - they have the same problem as all of them.
“They have games every three days, and there is a way just to protect the players.
“We have to protect the business, yes, but we have to protect the players, and with five substitutions we protect the players.
“Forget about tactics, forget about which favourite team is going well. But I don’t decide these kind of situations.”
His words echoed Chelsea boss Frank Lampard who banged the drum for five subs last season.
He said: “Players need to be given a break to play at the level and quality the Premier League is.”
