Palmer sacrificed in Maresca’s early reshuffle

Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season was thrown into chaos at Old Trafford after Enzo Maresca made three substitutions inside the opening 20 minutes — the first time that has ever happened in the competition.

The drama began almost immediately when goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was sent off after just four minutes, leaving Maresca with no choice but to replace Estevão with Filip Jorgensen between the posts. Minutes later, Pedro Neto was sacrificed for Tosin Adarabioyo as United pressed their early advantage.

But the biggest surprise came when Cole Palmer — Chelsea’s main creative force — was hauled off in only the 20th minute. The England international, who had scored in the midweek Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, looked bemused as he grabbed his coat and headed straight down the tunnel. He was later seen with an ice pack strapped to his groin, an issue Maresca had hinted at before the match.

Palmer’s withdrawal meant João Pedro was left as Chelsea’s lone attacking outlet, with all three of Maresca’s attacking midfielders off the pitch before half an hour had been played. It was a decision that stunned many supporters, especially given Palmer’s history against Manchester United — including his famous stoppage-time hat-trick at Stamford Bridge last season.

Meanwhile, ex-United winger Alejandro Garnacho, who swapped Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge this summer, remained on the bench. Maresca had suggested pre-match that Garnacho was “hungry” to make an impact, and hinted he might get minutes later in the evening.

With United taking control and Chelsea’s unbeaten record hanging in the balance, Maresca’s early reshuffle will no doubt divide opinion.