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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Maresca played with Van Nistelrooy</li><li>Jokes that former teammate was 'finished'</li><li>Coaches face each other on Sunday</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'He was already finished!' - Enzo Maresca reveals his regret about Ruud van Nistelrooy and promises to give former team-mate a 'big hug' ahead of Chelsea clash against Man Utd

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<p>Maresca said in a pre-match presser that he had not spoken to the interim Red Devils boss ahead of this weekend's fixture, but claimed he was excited to give the former United striker - who ended his career at Malaga while Maresca was also playing for the Spanish side - a "big hug" on Sunday. He also joked about the Dutchman's quality levels during those late playing days.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The two coaches came together briefly toward the end of their respective careers, and seemed to get on well. Over a decade later, the pair are two of Europe's most hotly-tipped young coaches, with Maresca in particular showing his pedigree by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/enzo-maresca-insists-chelsea-controlled-game-losing-liverpool-takes-pride-brave-players/blta743b2aa22960dab" target="_blank">quickly developing Chelsea</a>'s rag-tag bunch of youngsters into a coherent team capable of playing some extremely attractive possession-based football.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>"I haven't spoken with Ruud," Maresca told reporters. "I will give him a big hug on Sunday before the game. We expect a tough game." </p><p>Asked about his memories from their time playing together, he added: "First of all, [he is] a fantastic guy. Unfortunately I shared with him a time where was already finished! But even with that, you can see how good he was. We had a very good group of human beings with Malaga at the time so it is always nice to remember that moment."</p>

WHAT MARESCA SAID

<p>Despite the kind words, you can bet Maresca will have steeled himself for the task ahead and built a sturdy plan for beating Van Nistelrooy's United side this Sunday, when the Blues travel north to Manchester for an intriguing kick-off in the Premier League. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/jadon-sancho-not-available-chelsea-man-utd-premier-league-old-trafford-reunion/blt6a74764413260fbb" target="_blank">Jadon Sancho won't be available</a> for the trip to Old Trafford, but Chelsea's stacked squad means Maresca still has a huge amount of talent at his disposal.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MARESCA?

'He was already finished!' - Enzo Maresca reveals his regret about Ruud van Nistelrooy and promises to give former team-mate a 'big hug' ahead of Chelsea clash against Man Utd | Goal.com Nigeria

Enzo Maresca has joked about his former Malaga teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will take charge of Manchester United against Chelsea on Sunday.

&apos;He was already finished!&apos; - Enzo Maresca reveals his regret about Ruud van Nistelrooy and promises to give former team-mate a &apos;big hug&apos; ahead of Chelsea clash against Man Utd