"Why the hell is he not starting", "Annoyed by this" - Chelsea fans unhappy with star's exclusion from XI to face Manchester United
Chelsea fans have questioned the decision of coach Enzo Maresca to start Marc Cucurella on the bench for their clash against Manchester United in the Premier League. The two sides face off at Old Trafford on Sunday, November 3. The Blues are looking to pick up a first win at Old Trafford since 2013 following their 2-0 cup defeat against Newcastle United in midweek.
Spain international Cucurella was a mainstay in the Blues starting XI at the start of the season before picking up a suspension in October. The left-back did not feature against Liverpool on October 20, with Malo Gusto named at left-back in his absence.
Enzo Maresca tweaked the set-up for the game against Newcastle United last weekend, playing Reece James at left-back while Cucurella was on the bench. The former Leicester City manager has stuck to the same system for the trip to face Manchester United, with James named at left-back once more.
Marc Cucurella has been one of Chelsea's standout performers since the end of the 2023-24 season. Hence, the decision of the coach to leave out was met with unhappiness from the fans. They took to X to share their thoughts on the decision of the coach.
"Why the hell is Cucurella not starting ffs. What is this woke nonsense with Gusto?"
"I'm getting annoyed by this Gusto over Cucurella gimmick."
A fan simply asked why Cucurella was not starting the game.
"why’s he benching cucurella ffs", they wrote.
Another fan asked the same question.
"Why is Cucurella on the bench?", they posted.
Another fan questioned the decision to play James at left-back over Cucurella.
"Why’s is Enzo not playing Cucurella at LB makes no sense.. James is not effective at LB 🙄", they wrote.
Reece James is starting his third successive league game for Chelsea, having been rested for the midweek defeat at Newcastle United. They lost 2-0 at St. James' Park in the EFL Cup Round of 16. Cucurella was on the pitch for the entirety of the game, playing in his preferred left-back position.
Manchester United star misses out on squad for Chelsea clash
Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen will not be participating for the Red Devils in their Premier League clash against Chelsea. The 32-year-old Dane was left out of the squad for the game as he is struggling with an injury.
Interim Red Devils manager Ruud van Nistelrooy named his squad for the first league game of his brief term as manager after his successful debut. The Red Devils were 5-2 victors over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup Round of 16 clash in midweek under his stewardship.
Eriksen has not featured for Manchester United since last weekend against West Ham United, where he was substituted in the second half after starting the game. They lost 2-1 at the London Stadium. The former Inter Milan man was also unavailable for the Carabao Cup game and is once again missing for the side.