Manchester United and Chelsea push for nine subs in the Premier League

Manchester United and Chelsea are pushing for an increase in the number or players a club should have on their bench on matchdays.

All 20 clubs in the Premier League are set to meet nexta month at the Premier League AGM to debate the possibility of raising the number of substitutes from seven to nine from the beginning of next season.

Sky Sports claim United and Chelsea are the two clubs most keen on introducing an extra two subs.

It is understood however that if introduced, the new system will not alter the standard maximum of three substitutions for each team during a match.

Until eight years ago, teams were only allowed to have five substitutes on the bench, but that increased to seven in 2008. This proposition would see matchday squads increase from 18 to 20, and allow managers a wider variety of options off the bench to choose from.

It should be recalled that in March, FIFA approved an additional fourth substitute for games only in extra-time of matches played at this summer's Rio Olympics and at the Club World Cup later in the year.