Enzo Maresca is concerned that Chelsea’s longstanding struggles at Old Trafford will be even more challenging to overcome with his former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy now at the helm of Manchester United.
The Italian and the Dutchman forged a friendship while playing together for Spanish side Malaga during the 2011-12 season.
Chelsea’s winless streak at Manchester United stretches back almost as long as the Red Devils’ last Premier League title victory.
The last time Chelsea emerged victorious at Old Trafford was in May 2013, when Juan Mata scored the decisive goal in Sir Alex Ferguson’s penultimate home game.
Rafa Benitez was the Chelsea manager at that time, prior to Jose Mourinho’s return to the club.
As Chelsea head north for this crucial clash, they do so amidst a period of relative stability, while Manchester United is navigating another managerial upheaval following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.
Van Nistelrooy is currently in temporary charge, with Ruben Amorim expected to take over soon.
Enzo Maresca said: “For sure it will be a tougher game.
“When you change managers, always for the first one, two, three games, you can see the reaction from the players.
“So probably it will be. But in any case it will be a tough game.
“Overall they tried to do the same thing, because it’s quite difficult to change in such a short period.
“I saw that they changed small things. But overall against Leicester, they were, more or less, in the way they were.”
He will now reunite with his former teammate, who is four years his senior. “First of all, he is a fantastic person – very humble and professional.
Maresca jokingly added: “Unfortunately I shared with him a time where he was already finished but even with that, you can see how good he was.
“We had a very good group of human beings with Malaga at the time so it is always nice to remember that moment. I haven’t spoken with Ruud.
“I will give him a big hug on Sunday before the game. We expect a tough game.”
The former Juventus midfielder was completely unaware of his club’s disappointing record at Old Trafford until it was brought up during his pre-match press conference.
“We didn’t win there since 2013?” he asked.
“Hopefully it is a good time.
“That shows how difficult that stadium is; not only for us but for every club.
“Old Trafford is one of the stadiums in the world that is “nice” in terms of intimidation.
“Like Anfield, it’s the same. Or in Italy, the San Siro years ago, or in Spain, Barcelona and Madrid.
“They are stadiums that are nice for intimidating.
“We played a few weeks ago at Anfield and the performance was there and I don’t think the players feel that kind of intimidation so hopefully it can be the same on Sunday.”
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