‘Can’t say he won’t leave’: PL manager opens door for unhappy Man Utd target to seal January transfer

Enzo Maresca has opened the door for one reported Manchester United target to depart Stamford Bridge in 2025.

Yesterday, we relayed a report claiming that the Red Devils had revived their interest in Chelsea’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, having already been linked with the midfielder during his final season at Leicester City.

A deal never came to fruition between United and the Foxes graduate, but he did end up sealing a ‘Big Six’ move when he joined the Blues in July for a £30 million fee.

At the time of his transfer, plenty could see it was the wrong move for his career due to Chelsea’s increased depth across the squad, yet Dewsbury-Hall still put pen to paper on a five-year deal in London.

Dewsbury-Hall has endured a lacklustre start to life at Stamford Bridge

Now, the 26-year-old is likely ruing the decision, as he has made only five appearances in the Premier League this season, totalling just 55 minutes on the pitch. Maresca has instead utilised his ex-Leicester star in the Conference League, where he has started five of their six matches played and returned two goals.

His most recent contribution came last night when Chelsea hammered Shamrock Rovers 5-1 at home. After the game, the managed weighed in on the prospect of Dewsbury-Hall leaving the club prematurely.

“Unfortunately, I can’t say he won’t leave because anything can happen,” Maresca told reporters, as cited by Ben Jacobs. “I am not focused on January. We are very happy with the way he is working and his performance. We don’t want one of our players to leave. With Kiernan, it’s a question for him.

“If a player says he is not happy and wants to play more, we are not going to say you have to stay. We are happy with Kiernan, and then in January we will see.”

Of course, a January bid is ruled out in United’s eyes due to their precarious financial situation heading into the winter window – but a loan perhaps wouldn’t go amiss.