Wolves skipper Karl Henry has backed manager Mick McCarthy’s decision to field a reserve team against Manchester United, even though some of the players were “disappointed” to miss out on playing at Old Trafford.

Henry believes McCarthy had the best interest of the club at heart when he rested players after the strength-sapping win at Tottenham before Sunday’s home clash with Burnley.

The move paid off as Wolves registered a 2-0 victory to move out of the Barclays Premier League’s bottom three and up to 12th position.

They have now taken nine points from their last four games since a woeful showing in the home clash with Birmingham three weeks ago.

Henry said: “It was a hugely important win and we back the gaffer 100 per cent with his decisions.

“A few of the players were disappointed that they weren’t playing at Manchester United.

“But we knew it was a big decision for the gaffer and we realise it was the best one for us and for the club. He wants the club to stay in this division. He’s a great manager.

“He’s done a great job for the club and I’m glad we got a result for him against Burnley, as well as for everybody else.”

Henry added: “I think people will probably argue we’re professional footballers and we should deal with it (the fixture list).

“In the Championship, where you play 46 games, we did.

“But we could play Championship games at less than 100 per cent and still win.

“In this league it just doesn’t happen. We have to be 100 per cent every single game and I think the gaffer realised that and recognised we worked our socks off against Tottenham.

“Fair play to him and we repaid him with the win over Burnley.”

By John Curtis