Chelsea will be able to secure a return to Europe’s top competition by beating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground next Sunday.
Bizarrely, though, United - despite being 16th - may have already secured Champions League football by then should they beat Tottenham in Wednesday night’s Europa League final.
“Tonight we struggled on the ball because we didn’t expect them to be so aggressive man-to-man,” Maresca said. “I usually watch five or six games of the other team and I’ve never seen them so aggressive man-to-man. They surprised us a bit on that.”
Chelsea eventually needed Cucurella’s effort to break the deadlock after a fine assist from Reece James.
The goal was the Spaniard’s seventh of the season and he has developed a happy knack of popping up with vital contributions in the second half of the campaign.
“It was very nice,” Maresca said. “The assist from the right-back, the goal from the left-back, it’s the way I like to play.
“I think he already scored similar goals against Brentford and Wolves. He’s in the right position at the right moment. It’s not about how big or small you are. Cucu is an intelligent player and he’s helping us with the goals.”