MICK McCARTHY last night responded to Arsène Wenger’s criticism of his controversial decision to rest all 10 outfield players for Wolves’ midweek match at Manchester United by claiming he had “more honesty and integrity in his little finger” than the Arsenal manager possessed.

The Wolves manager, engaging in a colourful press conference, was referring to Wenger’s suggestion earlier in the week that he had damaged the “international credibility of the Premier League” by fielding a weakened team. McCarthy refused to accept that argument, admitted he would do the same again and claimed the only manager entitled to complain was Owen Coyle, who brings his Burnley side to Molineux tomorrow.

“I’m certainly more recognisable than I was before,” said McCarthy in relation to the furore he has caused. “I’m not really bothered. Do you know my only concern? It’s my relationship with the people at Wolves, the players, the fans, the people who work there. I’d hope they would understand that everything I have ever done as manager here is for the good of the club.

“If by doing what I did, the ones who went to watch, I upset or offended them, then rest assured that wasn’t the intention. It was in our best interests. I think in the three-and-a-half years I’ve been here, if I have upset one or two supporters, I think they will forgive me because of what I’ve done here. Everyone else, I don’t really give two hoots about. And I have to tell you, some of the people making comments about me, about my integrity and honesty . . . wait while I fall off my chair laughing.

“Do I accept that I harmed the integrity of this competition? Absolutely not. I’ve got 21 first-team players and they are all entitled to play. Every one of them. Let me tell you, there are some people accusing me of it and I have got more integrity and honesty in that little finger.”

Guardian Service