The boss addressed the media at Cobham before training and spoke in greater depth about two members of his squad who have been absent recently, Toni Rudiger and Reece James. After the West Ham win, Tuchel confirmed the German would be leaving Chelsea at the end of the season.

First, though, Tuchel reported who would be missing for the trip to Old Trafford, and who he hoped could return in time for kick-off.

‘Kova will still be out, Ben Chilwell will be out, and Callum will still be out,’ confirmed the boss.

‘Toni Rudiger was in training yesterday, the same for Reece James. Hopefully they can do the full training today and give us a green light. We have hopes they can be in the squad and play tomorrow.

‘It’s the same for Andreas. We will need another examination because he felt sick. He will come back to the training ground today.

‘Ross Barkley is sick as well and will not be in the squad.’

Tuchel was then asked how the squad had reacted to the Rudiger news.

‘I don’t think anybody likes it. Toni is a huge factor in our last one-and-a-half seasons together. He gives everybody confidence in the dressing room. He is a unique character, an aggressive leader. He plays on an outstanding level. He loves responsibility.

‘We have to accept it, and we will accept it. There will be life at Chelsea after Toni. Now the most important thing is it ends like it has been for the last one-and-a-half years, on the highest level possible.’

Looking forward to next season and the efforts to replace Rudiger, Tuchel stressed he was confident of raising the level of any incoming defenders and ‘squeeze everything out of the squad we have’.

‘I will try to push the squad to the limit. It was a pleasure every day with Toni. We have still big things to achieve. From pre-season next season life will go on, if we like it or not, and we will give our very best. I will be fully involved with all my heart and all my knowledge.’

James is another player Tuchel hopes he can call upon again when we meet Manchester United. Prior to his absence on Sunday, the 22-year-old had been switching between the right side of a back three, and right wing-back.

‘I would love to have two of Reece James so the problem would be solved,’ laughed Tuchel.

‘It’s 55 per cent towards wing-back, 45 per cent towards back three. It depends also how the opponent plays against us. Do we expect a lot of possession? How is their structure for offensive transition?

‘It can sometimes be very helpful for us if Reece plays in the back three, to be the first guy to cover in transition with his speed and physicality.

‘I’m leaning a bit more his very best position is the wing-back position when he can be more decisive, but it’s more demanding. The next step is to be a regular player over 55, 60 matches. Then we decide, but both positions are filled with top quality with him.’