Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has suggested that Premier League clubs should no longer be involved in the Carabao Cup as he expressed his concern over the congested fixture schedule in England.
Ralf Rangnick said: “England is the only top league that plays two cup competitions. In France they abolished the second one. This is something we could speak about and discuss. The League Cup is still kept for the third and fourth division teams to improve the financial situations of those clubs. But in a tight calendar with too many games, this is something to speak and discuss. The other thing is the FA Cup and the replays. That’s been changed and that’s a good thing. In other countries you never have replays, those are topics we could speak about.”
With the Covid-19 crisis in the Premier League at the moment, there are concerns over how many matches are being played in such a short period of time. With the Carabao Cup semi-finals due to be played next month at some point, the topic has become even more prominent in recent days.
Ralf Rangnick said: “England is the only country where they don’t allow five substitutes. It was decided every team could substitute five players when Covid started 18 months ago. I think it was the right decision to have more options to change players and save energy especially if they have only just recovered from Covid. The same is true right now. We are in a similar situation to the one we were in one-and-a-half years ago, and I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be the same. I think it would be a great help to have five substitutes. It would increase the emotional situation in the squad. It’s about game time and I would be much more in favour of five substitutes. In other countries, they do that. I haven’t spoken with the players about that but I don’t need to as most would be in favour.”
