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Manchester United played a role in Enzo Maresca‘s departure from Chelsea on New Year’s Day, according to The Sun. The Blues parted with the Italian after 19 months in his role, and some talks at Man United could have played a part. The damaging reports detailing Manchester City’s interest in Maresca were partially informed by some chatter at the Old Trafford club. He has been linked with potentially succeeding Pep Guardiola, which was one of the reasons for his eventual Chelsea sacking.
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However, it is unknown whether Man United intended to destabilise the Blues with the talks. Both clubs are competing for a top-four finish as they eye Champions League football next term, and fourth-place Chelsea are only ahead of the Red Devils due to a superior goal difference. The Stamford Bridge club have put an interim manager in charge for the time being, with their under-21s boss Calum McFarlane set to be in the dugout when they play Man City tomorrow.
Man United take on Leeds United earlier on Sunday and could end the day in fourth position if they win at Elland Road and Chelsea drop points. The Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim is not under pressure at the moment, but a return of three wins in their last ten league games has left some at the club questioning his tactics all over again.
The Portuguese has continued to play with a back-three, and there have been grumblings from some of the bigwigs for a while about how the team is functioning under his system after blatantly refusing to change. Talks between Amorim and Man United’s director of football Jason Wilcox are now more fraught, and the 40-year-old needs to start winning more consistently to prove himself.
English (US) ·