The Premier League chief executive, Richard Scudamore, believes Sir Alex Ferguson has every right to field a weakened team against Hull City on Sunday.

Manchester United face Barcelona in the Champions League final on Wednesday and, having already won the domestic title, Ferguson is expected to rest Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic.

That could have ramifications at the bottom of the table as Hull are still battling it out with Sunderland, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough to avoid relegation on the last day of the season.

"You can't alter the fact they've won the league and they've got the most significant game the following Wednesday against Barcelona," said Scudamore.

"You have to be realistic: they've got a squad, and therefore you can't argue that they deploy the benefit of that squad in a game on Sunday."

Whatever side Ferguson chooses, Scudamore still believes United will be going all out for the win. "They are the most professional of professional football clubs," he said. "Sir Alex Ferguson's going to put a team out that he intends to win that game on Sunday."