Xabi Alonso says Reece James will not be rushed back from injury
It marked the first time the Brazilian teenager had started in the Premier League this season, and his lack of game time has become a talking point not only at Chelsea but also in Brazil.
Alonso received criticism for not calling on Estevao when Chelsea fell to a Carabao Cup penalty shootout defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.
Asked whether he had already decided earlier in the week that he would be starting Estevao against United, Alonso said: “You ask me, but sometimes I can't give you all the info.
“We spoke after [the] Tottenham [game] and he knew that he was going to be playing tonight, today.
“He has had the best response to show that he deserves more, that he was prepared and that's what you want from a football player, so I'm very happy for him. He deserved to enjoy his game, he had a good connection with the crowd.
“He was really close to scoring that goal. At the end he fought really hard, he was tired and it has been a good day for him.”
Alonso was then asked to explain what about United’s style of play made him confident it was the right moment to call on Estevao.
“Different situations,” he said. “From what we were going to do against Liverpool, what we were going to do against... I had an idea and I was clear that he could have a good impact today and he has shown it.
“I think that he's been a threat, he has created many chances, many situations where he could score and he has shown it well.”
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Chelsea do not play again until next Sunday away at Sunderland, where Estevao will hope to retain his place.