Enzo Maresca has disclosed that Robert Sanchez took full responsibility for his red card in the Premier League game between Chelsea and Manchester United and asked for forgiveness in the dressing room.
Sanchez was given a red card in the opening five minutes of the clash at Old Trafford after he brought Bryam Mbeumo down outside the penalty area. The numerical disadvantage proved very costly for the Blues as they faced their first defeat in the Premier League this season.
After the game, the Spanish goalkeeper took to his Instagram story to apologize for the unfortunate incident. Ahead of Chelsea's Carabao Cup third round clash against Lincoln City, Maresca said that Sanchez did not only posted an apology on social media but also apologized directly to his teammates.
Maresca was quoted as saying by Chelsea's official website:
“Rob for a long time has been very good. Unfortunately, he made a mistake the other day and he recognised it. I know he made a post on Instagram in public, but he also did so after the game in the changing room. He recognised it was a mistake. He is an intelligent person, and he recognised that.”
The red card means that Robert Sanchez will not be a part of Chelsea's Carabao Cup with Lincoln, which is set to take place on Tuesday, September 23, at Sincil bank.
Joe Hart gives verdict on Chelsea goalkeeper after red card incident
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart criticized Robert Sanchez receiving a red card in the Manchester United vs Chelsea clash. Speaking on BBC Sport's Monday Night Club, Hart said:
“He’s very athletic, and on his day, he’s a dominant goalkeeper. He comes for things. He’s very, very springy. He’s a big, tall man, and he makes electric saves when his day is flying. Unfortunately, as a goalkeeper, especially in the Premier League at the top, you can’t just be an on his day player. You’re not a striker. You can’t just score a goal and then be horrendous for the rest of the game, and no one really cares about it.”
“That will never go away from him. That will just never go until he can have a rock-solid season, and Robert Sanchez just doesn’t look like he’s capable of that at the moment.”
While Sanchez will miss the clash against Lincoln, he will be available for selection in Enzo Maresca's starting playing XI next Saturday, as he got only one match ban.