NON-LEAGUE Rochdale made a double substitution inside the first 30 seconds of their National League Cup defeat to Manchester United.
Ryan East and Toby Adebayo-Rowling made way for Jake Burger and Jack Griffiths after Rochdale deliberately kicked the ball into touch from kick-off during Tuesday’s match.
Competition rules state that National League clubs must start at least four players from their previous league fixture.
Rochdale ensured that the rules and regulations were adhered to by starting regulars East and Adebayo-Rowling, who both played in the goalless draw with Woking at the weekend.
But the duo were on the pitch for a matter of seconds as they came off almost as soon as the match had started.
James McNulty seemingly took a page out of former Manchester United star Robbie Savage‘s book with his sub antics.
Savage took advantage of the loophole in Forest Green’s clash with Wolves Under-21s in September.
The former Premier League midfielder made four subs after ONE MINUTE of the match against the Black Country club.
A matter of seconds after kick off, he hauled off Tom Knowles, Kyle MacAllister, Neil Kengni Kuemo and Abraham Kanu.
He replaced them with Yahya Bamba, James Balagizi, William Merrett and Akai Bonnick.
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His decision was vindicated as his troops ran out 3-2 winners over the Premier League side’s Under-21s.
McNulty’s, however, wasn’t as his side suffered a 2-0 defeat to the junior Red Devils.
Chido Obi was the star of the show again for United’s youngsters.
He fired the United starlets into the lead in the 13th minute as he continues to ply his trade with the second string.
Gibraltar international James Scanlon bagged United’s second in added time to seal what proved to be a routine win for the Red Devils.
