The former West Ham and Celtic boss could not believe the team sheets when they came through an hour before the game.
After the 3-0 defeat, McCarthy defended his stance, stating that he could not expect the same players that produced a heroic performance at Tottenham on Saturday to deliver again three days later.
And, with a more winnable encounter with Burnley looming on Sunday, McCarthy took the decision to make mass changes.
The decision seems certain to go unpunished by the Premier League, who last night indicated an unwillingness to get involved in the issue because the modern game is based on the use of squads, which Sir Alex Ferguson himself has used plenty of times in the past.
Nonsense
However, the 3,000 travelling Wolves fans were not impressed judging by their chants of "we want out money back", "where is our first team" and "£40 to watch the reserves".
And Macari believes they have a point.
"It is a nonsense," he said.
"These lads are professional footballers. They should be ready to play.
"What are they going to do, sit with their feet up for five days waiting for Burnley?
"This is not what football is about. It is about trying to win matches.
"If you don't play well, you tend to get beaten. If you play well, you might win. It has nothing to do with whether you rest players or not."
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Showing comments 1 to 18 and replies | View All
Solskjaer20Legend, Epsomville (16/12/2009 at 10:54)
Tim1980 (16/12/2009 at 10:56)
PATRICK DOWLING (16/12/2009 at 11:30)
Alias Smith, over the moon (16/12/2009 at 11:35)
bobbydazzler (16/12/2009 at 11:47)
daft question i know were you at the match last night? if not how can you comment?. there were certainly a lot of chanting coming from the wolves supporters about the state of their team.
I have some sympathy for them as they spent good money getting to the game only to be faced with having to watch what is virtueally a second string x1. not that you would know anything about it but it's something us match going fans have to put up with on aregular basis.
Duncan, London (16/12/2009 at 12:01)
tooth&claw, manchester (16/12/2009 at 12:04)
The Sons of the Desert, (Starring Fergo and Phelan as Ollie and Stan) (16/12/2009 at 12:21)
You should have stuck to serving greasy helpings in your chippy Lou.
Alias Smith, over the moon (16/12/2009 at 12:41)
Michael Davies (16/12/2009 at 12:58)
normanace (16/12/2009 at 13:24)
ted knott, droylsden (16/12/2009 at 14:21)
During his time at Old Trafford Lou always gave 100% sometimes 150% and that is fact! very competitive,brave,skillfull and crafty.
Mick McCarthy needs to be reminded football is supposed to be a mans game but he thinks his players need a rest after winning a game Eh so he gives them in essence a week off no wonder the Rugby community call footballers 'softies'
At the end of all this it isn't United's fault that McCarthy chose to play a reserve team they still had to go out and win the game its just that silly Mick made it a bit easier for them but there we are thats football -or is it?
ted knott, droylsden (16/12/2009 at 14:25)
would you have the same opinion if Wolves had the done the same thing against Chelsea or Arsenal?
Red cockney rebel in the Med., Malta (16/12/2009 at 14:59)
Mrs Fullaway's lodger (16/12/2009 at 15:13)
Mrs Fullaway's lodger (16/12/2009 at 15:32)
Football is about 15 times more dynamic and 10 times faster than it was in the seventies. In those days you could play every day without exhaustion or higher risk of injury, it's different nowadays. Because of the extreme athletic and powerful nature of today's game, and the tight schedule of top games. The players need a certain rest and recuperation phase especially after a hard fought match. That is why the "richer" clubs, following SAF's lead btw have larger squads, thus enabling them to cope better with the demands the modern game has. It is simply not enough to be a good footballer anymore.
Remember THE "chopper" Harris attempted tackle on Bestie early 70's? You know, where Bestie rode the tackle and went on to score? Well, nowadays there would be at least 2 six footed "choppers" from each side sliding in at 60 mph . . and another standing in front of him. Compare the physique between Bestie and Ronaldo, the game is faster, more hard fought, and the players are first athletes and secondly players. In Lou's day you were first and foremost a player, athleticism didn't come into it.
Mrs Fullaway's lodger (16/12/2009 at 15:33)
ted knott, droylsden
16/12/2009 at 14:25
Dear Bertie, we'll do it against you in the Lucky Bag Cup, and still win!
bobbydazzler (16/12/2009 at 16:56)
nobody complains when fergie plays the second string who are you kidding. lots of match going fans resent the fact that we have to pay top dollar to watch mixture of academy players and reserves. the fact is that united along with just about every other club have a total contempt for the match going supporter.