Fergie: 7 Subs

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed rival boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's call for seven substitutes to be allowed in Premier League games.

Presently, only five replacements can be named in domestic matches, a rule out of kilter with UEFA competitions, where seven is the norm.

Ferguson points to the huge squads most top-flight clubs now employ, and he cannot understand why a seven-substitute rule is not introduced.

"I think in the modern game, particularly given the profile of the Premier League and the money available, there should be seven substitutes," said the Scot.

"Every club has a big squad of more than 16 players now. In our case, it is nearer 25.

"We have tried to get this changed for some years now and I am sure if the coaches were to make the decision on it, it would be passed.

"When you look at someone like Darren Fletcher, he was absolutely fantastic in Kiev and deserves to be part of the squad. But he did not even make the bench on Saturday, which was a real kick in the teeth for him.

"It does not sit easy with me having to leave someone like Darren out when he has done a fantastic job for us."