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Enzo Maresca calls out Manchester United’s 'positive output' that made Chelsea struggle

Originally posted on We All Follow United
By Rohit Sarkar | Last updated May 17, 2025 8:23 PM ET

Enzo Maresca reveals how Manchester United made Chelsea sweat at Stamford Bridge

Despite languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, Manchester United’s name continues to echo in European football circles. Their dismal domestic campaign has been tempered by a Europa League run that now offers a potential ticket to next season’s Champions League. Yet, as the final against Tottenham looms, United’s preparation took another hit with a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, a result that raised more questions than answers.

Marc Cucurella’s decisive header proved to be the difference, but Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca seemed more concerned about United’s intensity than his own side’s performance. According to Maresca (h/t The Standard), United’s unexpected aggression and tighter individual marking disrupted Chelsea’s fluidity, forcing his players to take less comfortable routes to goal. It wasn’t a critique; it was a warning. Despite their lowly league position, United displayed a physicality and pressing intensity that could unsettle Tottenham in the upcoming final.

United’s approach may not have sparkled, but it did unsettle a Chelsea side unprepared for such ferocity. While they lacked attacking precision, their relentless pressing made Chelsea work harder for control. Cucurella’s goal came from a moment of individual brilliance rather than sustained dominance, a fact Maresca acknowledged in his post-match comments. For United, the takeaway is clear: the aggression that disrupted Chelsea could be their best weapon against Spurs. However, they’ll need more than physicality to turn that spark into a trophy-winning performance.

“Tonight we struggled on the ball because we didn’t expect them to be so aggressive man-to-man. I usually watch five or six games of the other team and I’ve never seen them so aggressive man-to-man. They surprised us a bit on that.”

Maresca’s praise for United’s pressing intensity may have been more strategic than sincere. By highlighting United’s unexpected aggression, the Chelsea boss subtly deflected attention away from his own side’s failings. It’s a classic tactic, compliment the opposition to shift focus away from your own deficiencies. But beneath Maresca’s remarks lies a kernel of truth: United’s intensity rattled Chelsea, forcing them into uncomfortable positions.

For Tottenham, that should serve as a warning. United may appear vulnerable, but if they can harness that aggression with a more structured game plan, they could turn the Europa League final into far more than just a consolation prize. The key will be maintaining their physical edge while introducing the tactical clarity that has been sorely lacking throughout the campaign.

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If Manchester United are to have any hope of lifting the Europa League trophy against Tottenham, they must move beyond relying solely on physicality and sporadic intensity. While their pressing game can unsettle opponents, the lack of defensive structure and cohesion in midfield remains a glaring weakness.

Defensively, United’s back line continues to buckle under pressure, crumbling whenever opponents press with the ball. The disconnect between Casemiro and the attacking line further exacerbates the issue. Without a clear link between the holding midfielder and the forwards, United risk becoming a team that presses to win possession but lacks a plan once they have it. In a final, that void will be ruthlessly exposed.

This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.

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