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Manchester United reportedly failed in a last-ditch attempt to secure the signing of current Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca in the summer.
The United hierarchy were very unhappy with an eighth place finish last season but there was significant icing on the cake when the club upset the odds and won the FA Cup final against Manchester City at the end of May.
In a rather farcical situation, United spoke to numerous managers including Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi during two weeks in the summer as Erik ten Hag’s future hung in the balance.
It was finally decided that the Dutchman would stay but he did not last much longer than two months of the season as he officially left the club at the end of October.
Since, United have appointed former Sporting Lisbon coach, Ruben Amorim, but it seems like they may have gone in a completely different direction in the summer if they had reacted faster.
Speaking to The Debrief Podcast, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has revealed that United were very interested in appointing Italian manager Enzo Maresca.
Balague claimed that Chelsea really valued the manager’s profile as “they were looking for a young manager with the right ideas that will work with the structure of the club” and who would not cause in-fighting due to demanding certain players.
He also claimed that the Chelsea coach had admirers in the corridors of power at Old Trafford as he revealed “if there was proof that his profile was sought after, that just before he shook hands with Chelsea, Manchester United called. And it was too late.”
United’s interest in Maresca looks to have been justified as he got Leicester City promoted to the Premier League last season after playing an impressive brand of football.
In addition, he has made a strong start to life at Stamford Bridge as his side sit third in the table and looks like the firmest of favourites to win the Conference League.
The reported last minute call only further shines a light on the haphazard approach United took in deciding Ten Hag’s future in the summer as they clearly had not put the sufficient ground work into a deal for the Italian.
All’s well that ends well however, and the Red Devils’ owners will be delighted that they finally landed on one of the most respected young coaches in the game in Ruben Amorim.
Featured image Clive Mason via Getty Images