Enzo Maresca has revealed who he believes will be Manchester United’s manager when the Blues visit Old Trafford on Sunday.
First Chelsea face Newcastle at St James’ Park in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, the second meeting between the two sides in a matter of days.
Preparation for the United game would have been well underway, but Maresca and his coaching staff have had to switch things up given what happened earlier this week.
Maresca reveals who he believes will be Manchester United manager on Sunday
United sacked Erik ten Hag on Monday following a dismal start to the season and have placed Ruud van Nistelrooy in temporary charge.
They are working on a deal with Sporting Lisbon to finalise the appointment of Ruben Amorim, although it’s unclear when he will be announced with some reports suggesting he could be in the dugout for Chelsea’s game with United.
Maresca would have watched a lot of games of United under Ten Hag to prepare, but admitted he’s now had to watch a lot of PSV games from Van Nistelrooy’s time in charge there.
There’s a chance that could change again if Amorim is in the dugout come Sunday, and Maresca was asked who he feels will be the United boss this weekend.
“”I guess it would be Ruud [Van Nistelrooy], but he’s a friend of mine,” he told reporters as cited on X.com.
“We played together. We spent years together in Malaga. We have still relations. I think it’ll be Ruud.”
Maresca is known for his attention to detail and thorough preparation for games, but a major change this close to a big game can’t be helpful and adds extra work.
Having said that, Maresca’s knowledge of the game appears to be second to none and you get the feeling he might actually enjoy watching all these extra games.
Hopefully come Sunday night it will all be worth it and Chelsea will leave Old Trafford with a first victory at the famous ground since 2013.
