EPL: ‘Strange, negative’ – Murphy slams Maresca over decisions in Man United 2-1 win over Chelsea

Former Liverpool star, Danny Murphy, has slammed Chelsea boss, Enzo Maresca over ‘negative’ decision in the Blues’ defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Murphy told the BBC that the Italian’s decision to substitute Pedro Neto was ‘strange’ and ‘negative.’

Chelsea suffered a 2-1 defeat in the hands of obviously struggling Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro netted two first-half goals for the Red Devils.

Five minutes into the game, Enzo Maresca’s men were cut down to 10 after goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez was given a straight red, owing to a last-man foul on Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo.

Maresca made some changes immediately, bringing on Filip Jorgensen to replace Estevao, while defender Tosin Adarabioyo was brought on for Pedro Neto.

Cole Palmer was forced off a few minutes later due to a groin injury.

Manchester United were also reduced to 10 men shortly before the break as Casemiro was sent off for a second bookable offense.

Trevoh Chalobah pulled one back for Chelsea in the 80th minute, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

“I think bringing an extra defending on is understandable and taking off an attacker, but a few minutes later Palmer is off after they’re 1-0 down,” Murphy said on BBC’s Match of the Day.

“We felt Neto and Cole Palmer coming off was a really negative move. Okay, we trust his word that he [Palmer] is struggling a bit with injury but maybe he should’ve brought him off at the beginning and left Neto on for his pace…”

Chelsea have now suffered a back to back defeat in their last two games- a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and a 2-1 loss to Manchester United.

The victory meant that Manchester United have now won two games in the Premier League this season.