By CHRIS SUDLOW: UNITED's selection policy for Worthington Cup games has come under fire since they sent out a so-called shadow team against Port Vale a few years ago.

Fans in the Potteries had bought tickets thinking they would see Eric Cantona and Co and watched many of the reserves instead.

Since then the criticism has mellowed as many realise that up to 17 extra games in the Champions League mean United priorities have had to be changed.

This is Route One football and that means Champions League, Premiership, FA Cup and Worthington Cup in that order.

So when United field their best starting 11 at Anfield for the 11.30am Premiership game against arch rivals Liverpool tomorrow, few will expect the same line-up when they visit Highbury to face Arsenal in the Worthington Cup third round on Monday night.

Both games are on TV: The Liverpool match on Sky, the Arsenal clash on ITV Sport.

And don't forget Arsenal, they also play Charlton tomorrow (ko 2pm on pay for view TV).

Few people seem concerned the effect this has on fans.

The Arsenal game was originally scheduled for Wednesday but then the England-Sweden game on Saturday week came into the equation: Our adopted Swede wanted players from both clubs available for the traditional get-together from the weekend.

The game was moved to Monday with the following result: It is an all-ticket sell-out - sold on false promises; and on live ITV Sport - but does anybody really want to watch the Reserves of both clubs?