Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has indicated that he had nothing to do with Manchester United missing out on Marc Cucurella.
United’s left back situation just seems to get more and more ridiculous.
Tyrell Malacia missed pre-season and his return date is unclear, with that situation compounded by Luke Shaw picking up an injury last month.
United pounced to sign Sergio Reguilon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, but he has now picked up an injury too.
Erik ten Hag must be wondering just how the left back spot at United has become cursed this season with Reguilon’s injury a frankly absurd twist.
Mauricio Pochettino comments on Marc Cucurella missing out on Manchester United move
Reguilon may not have even been in this position at all had United landed Ten Hag’s top left back target ahead of the transfer deadline.
The Athletic claim that Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella was Ten Hag’s number one option for a left back addition.
However, Chelsea then picked Cucurella to play against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup, scrapping the move with United moving on.
Not only would Cucurella have been cup-tied but a January return would have been complicated as he couldn’t have moved onto another club.
That means Cucurella remains at Chelsea and boss Mauricio Pochettino has now commented on the breakdown of that move.
Pochettino has told Metro that he was not involved in Cucurella’s move breaking down – even if he was the one who picked the Spaniard against Wimbledon.
Pochettino is now adamant that Cucurella is in Chelsea’s plans and will be given chances to play if he works hard moving forward.
“I wasn’t involved but he’s our player and I’ve been clear: he has chances, he can play,” said Pochettino. “Marc is going to work hard. It’s really clear, he’s in our plan and if he deserves to play, he will play,” he added.
Cucurella may yet receive Chelsea chance after United missed out
Pochettino’s comments come with Chelsea now dealing with an injury to left back Ben Chilwell.
Chilwell looks set for a decent period on the sidelines now and that could move Cucurella into Pochettino’s thinking.
Pochettino has been using Levi Colwill as a defensive left back with Chilwell further forward, so Cucurella getting back in isn’t nailed on.
Ten Hag may well have wanted Cucurella but it’s hard to see United going back in for him in 2024, even with these persistent left back issues.
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