Enzo Maresca defends Alejandro Garnacho from Man Utd fan theory as Chelsea boss explains decision to snub £40m winger on return to Old Trafford

Garnacho left Old Trafford to join Chelsea in a £40 million (€46m/$54m) deal in the summer transfer window, having been exiled by Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim. The 21-year-old trained separately from the main United squad until he secured his move to Stamford Bridge on August 30.

Garnacho looked all set to enter the fray as Chelsea pushed for an equaliser in their 2-1 defeat against United, but was overlooked in a fiery battle which saw both sides reduced to ten men. However Maresca has since revealed that he was ready to unleash Garnacho at the Theatre of Dreams, only for defender Wesley Fofana to spoil the plan by asking to be substituted.

When asked if Garnacho did not take to the field because he was being taunted by the United fanbase, Maresca said: "No, also because he (Garnacho) was ready, and he was ready to go on, and then Wes asked for a change."

Garnacho made his Chelsea debut in their 2-2 draw with Brentford in the Premier League on September 13, emerging as a substitute. He also came off the bench in his side’s 3-1 defeat against Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener on Wednesday evening.

Chelsea are back in action when they take on high-flying League One side Lincoln City in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Maresca’s men will then play host to Brighton in the Premier League on September 27.