Solskjaer reacts to change in substitution rule 5 hours ago

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: happy with new substition rule

Increasing the number of substitutions and players on the bench when the Premier League restarts this month is a brilliant idea, according to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The former Manchester United forward said the decision would allow managers to rotate their squads during a congested schedule.

The league, suspended since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume on June 17 after agreeing on temporary rule changes to increase substitutes from three to five per game.

The number of players allowed on the bench has been put up from seven to nine.

“We’ve had time out. So, I don’t think we can expect that those lads who’ve missed lots of football can last the full game.

“But now the rules have changed, we can use five subs and have nine on the bench,” Solskjaer told Manchester United’s website.

“I think that’s helpful because, after being out for so long, going into competitive games will be a challenge for footballers and we have to look after them injury-wise and fitness-wise.

“We can’t just flog one player and say to them: `you play every game and every minute’ because it might be a period when we have to rotate quite often.”

Fifth-placed Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur in their first game back on June 19. (Reuters/NAN)