"Disappointed We Didn't": What Maresca and van Nistelrooy Said After the Manchester United - Chelsea

Chelsea and Manchester United couldn’t determine a winner in their Premier League showdown in Round 10, trading goals in the middle of the second half and ending 1-1.

• Man United faced criticism from experts once again following their match against Chelsea

After the match, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca expressed satisfaction with the result. He also suggested that United’s Lisandro Martinez should have been sent off near the end of the game.

“We knew it would be a tough match for many reasons. We scored, we came back. After the goal, we tried to push for the win. We’re happy because we knew how challenging this game would be.

United’s players want to prove they’re good enough. They have a new manager with fresh ideas, so we had to adjust our preparations.

Should Martinez have been sent off? I think it’s obvious to all of us, but the referee saw it differently. When you’re not going for the ball and just targeting the opponent’s leg, that’s a clear red card,” Maresca told BBC.

Acting United manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, in his comments to BBC Sport, praised his squad’s performance but admitted that a win was within reach.

“Overall, it was a very solid performance. The players did well, fighting for every inch of the pitch. It was great to watch that effort out there. Considering the chances we created, we could have scored another to take the win. It’s a shame we couldn’t. Overall, I’m a bit disappointed that we didn’t secure the victory.

It’s been an emotional rollercoaster—almost an entire week filled with so much happening. My role was to keep this ship afloat. The players responded really well, and that’s something to build on for the next two games. I saw the team spirit on Wednesday and again today. This is the foundation for future growth.

I came here to help the club in whatever way I can. After these two games, we’ll keep moving forward, and hopefully, things will work out. It’s something special to return to this city and club. I’m genuinely enjoying every minute,” the Dutchman shared post-match.

To recap: Chelsea edged out Arsenal (both on 18 points) in the table due to a better goal difference, moving into the top four. Meanwhile, Manchester United remains in 13th place with 12 points.