TEAMS which stick with the same players are more successful than those which continually chop and change, scientists have revealed.

Team spirit, trust and stability may be more important than players' individual skills in achieving Premiership success, the study claims.

Psychologist Dr Mark Van Vugt has discovered that Premiership champions Manchester United had the highest stability rating last season while relegated Manchester City had the lowest.

Dr Van Vugt said: "Instead of splashing big transfer fees on star players to appease the fans, managers should work with players they already have."

Champions Manchester United, for example, had a "stability index" of 84.4 per cent, while relegated Manchester City's index was 40.6 per cent.