Chelsea suffer huge Cole Palmer blow and reaction to Enzo Maresca speaks volumes

Chelsea have been handed a potential injury blow during their clash with Manchester United.

The Blues faced the Red Devils at Old Trafford in the Premier League and were forced to play the majority of the contest with just 10 men.

Robert Sanchez was shown a red card by referee Peter Bankes, which was later confirmed by VAR.

Enzo Maresca made a double substitution in response to the sending off, with Filip Jorgensen and Tosin Adarabioyo replacing Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto, before making a third change on the half-hour mark.

Cole Palmer was also substituted for Chelsea in the 21st minute, where he was replaced by Andrey Santos.

Palmer was visibly frustrated as he left the pitch and immediately walked back towards the tunnel to return to the dressing room.

A little while later, Palmer returned to the substitute's bench to watch his Chelsea teammates take on United, but he could be seen with ice on his groin.

It was a groin injury which kept Palmer on the sidelines for the Premier League fixtures against West Ham and Fulham earlier this season.

Maresca will be expected to provide an update on Palmer's fitness and the reason behind the substitution when he speaks to the media and reporters after the full-time whistle.

Chelsea were 1-0 down at the time of Palmer's substitution, with Bruno Fernandes putting the home side in front at Old Trafford which was confirmed by VAR after a lengthy check.

United then doubled their advantage with a header from Casemiro which put the Red Devils in complete control of the game against Chelsea going into the half-time break.

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