‘No doubt’ – Enzo Maresca hits out at referee decision during Man Utd clash

Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw against Manchester United as Enzo Maresca’s side continues to search for their first win against the big teams.

Although Chelsea arrived at Old Trafford in good form and were tipped to win the match, Enzo Maresca’s team went behind when Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot.

With just 20 minutes remaining in the second half, Rasmus Hojlund was brought down by Robert Sanchez and won a penalty, which Fernandes slotted into the bottom left corner.

However, Chelsea fought back and it wasn’t surprising when the equalizing goal was scored. United conceded just four minutes later after an excellent strike from Moises Caicedo.

As the game progress and with just four minutes of injury time added, United defender Lisandro Martinez avoided being sent off when making a late lunging challenge on Palmer, despite VAR reviewing the incident.

Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez (left) challenges Chelsea’s Cole Palmer during the Premier League match at Old Trafford (Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

Martinez looked to catch Palmer with his boot and Maresca said it was a “clear red card” when speaking at the post-match press conference. “For me, when there’s no intention to go for the ball and you just go for the player, it’s a red,” said the Chelsea boss about the tackle.

“There’s no doubt about the decision and no, they [the officials] didn’t say anything.”

Van Nistelrooy was asked about the incident and said: “I haven’t seen it, to be fair, I saw it on the touchline and I didn’t see it as a red at that moment at all. I’d have to see it again.”

Maresca also provided an update on Palmer’s condition and said: “He was in the changing room with ice so we are waiting now, hopefully it is nothing important. It is quite clear almost for all of us [the challenge was a red card] but the referee took a different decision.”

The 44-year-old added: “I think we controlled the game well, knowing we would concede some chances on the counter. I think we did the most difficult thing in this stadium against this team, which is coming back after they scored. In Italy we say if you can’t win, don’t lose.”