Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku did not have his best showing in the 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur yesterday, but he did provide the assist on Anthony Martial’s goal, the only scoring strike of the season.
The big Belgian was booed at Old Trafford, and after the game, Manager Jose Mourinho hit out at the supporters who supplied those boos. Lukaku also assisted on the only goal in United’s loss to Huddersfield Town last weekend. He’s had an excellent start to the season, racking up 11 goals in 15 games across all competitions this season.
That’s an impressive number in its own right, but it’s made all the more eye-catching when you realize that only one player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, achieved double figure scoring in league play for United last season. Ibrahimovic himself has said that the presence of Lukaku on the roster will make his job easier once he makes his comeback, which could be in December.
Still, yesterday provided some material to the narrative that Lukaku racks up his statistics against lesser competition, and doesn’t bring it as much versus the big boys. That’s the sentiment which led to some members of the United fan base booing Lukaku, and Mourinho simply isn’t having any of it.
The Portugese believes that United supporters owe him an explanation.
What certain sections of the Old Trafford crowd were booing, specifically, was Mourinho’s decision to switch attacking players, in the 70′, subbing Marcus Rashford for Anthony Martial. Mourinho read something else into it, seeing it as mistreatment of Lukaku.
Mourinho told the club’s official web channel MUTV (transcript via Manchester Evening News):
“I would like the supporters to explain to me why they don’t support him so much because he gives everything and I think it is not fair when scoring the goal or not scoring the goal makes the whole difference.”
MISSING: Romelu Lukaku, last seen scoring against awful football teams. pic.twitter.com/WKjCn7GlKZ
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) October 28, 2017
Lukaku gets service,he scores. He doesn't get service, he creates for others…but y'all still bash him. Amazing.
— sage. (@Ero_senniN__) October 28, 2017
Hey, “boo” is a word that’s trending now as tomorrow night’s Champions League match takes place on October 31st- All Hallows Eve. Happy Halloween everybody!
In the interest of fairness and balance, we provided one example tweet from each side of the argument. It’s an interesting debate, are MUFC supporters too hard on Lukaku? Or does it come with the territory of a £75 million pay grade? Have at it in the comments sections.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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