'There is no doubt' - Enzo Maresca hits out at controversial Manchester United decision vs Chelsea

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca thought Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez was fortunate not to be sent off for his late challenge on Cole Palmer.

Ruud van Nistelrooy oversaw a comfortable victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup in his first game as interim boss but couldn't make it two wins in two games against Chelsea.

Although Chelsea arrived at Old Trafford in good form - they have lost just twice in the league this season - it was United who drew first blood in the second half through Bruno Fernandes.

Rasmus Hojlund was brought down by Robert Sanchez and won a penalty with 20 minutes remaining, which Fernandes slotted into the bottom left corner.

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United needed to see out the final exchanges of the contest to claim a much-needed league victory but conceded just four minutes later after an excellent strike from Moises Caicedo.

There were four minutes of injury time added at the end of the game and Martinez avoided being sent off when making a late lunging challenge on Palmer, despite VAR reviewing the incident.

Martinez looked to catch Palmer with his boot and Maresca said it was a "clear red card" when speaking at the post-match press conference. "For me, when there’s no intention to go for the ball and you just go for the player, it’s a red," said the Chelsea boss about the tackle.

"There's no doubt about the decision and no, they [the officials] didn’t say anything."

Van Nistelrooy was asked about the incident and said: "I haven’t seen it, to be fair, I saw it on the touchline and I didn’t see it as a red at that moment at all. I’d have to see it again."

Maresca also provided an update on Palmer's condition and said: "He was in the changing room with ice so we are waiting now, hopefully it is nothing important. It is quite clear almost for all of us [the challenge was a red card] but the referee took a different decision."

The 44-year-old added: "I think we controlled the game well, knowing we would concede some chances on the counter. I think we did the most difficult thing in this stadium against this team, which is coming back after they scored. In Italy we say if you can't win, don't lose."