Jose Mourinho is sticking with Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United but his confidence looks shot... he has a point to prove against Arsenal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic breathing down his neck

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Rather than lambast Romelu Lukaku after another match of missed opportunities at Watford, Jose Mourinho opted to joke about why Manchester United’s £75million striker is not scoring.

‘He needs a big contract for his boots,’ Mourinho said on Tuesday night. ‘He doesn't have a contract with any brand. That’s why he’s playing with black boots. I think he needs a brand to give him the right boots and to pay him the right money so he goes back to goals.’

Mourinho said it with a smile then, jokes aside, used the word ‘amazing’ three times to describe Lukaku. The simple truth, though, is United’s goalscorer is not scoring goals.

Romelu Lukaku cut a dejected figure as he failed to score for Manchester United vs Watford

Jose Mourinho joked about Lukaku's form, but he will be thinking seriously about his options

The Belgium international started his Old Trafford career by scoring 11 times in his first 10 games in all competitions. In his last 11 outings, however, he has contributed a single goal.

Of course it doesn’t help that not a single United player features in the top 10 for chances created this season, though Lukaku has to take his share of the blame.

He was fortunate to avoid retrospective action by the Football Association for his off-the-ball kicks on Brighton’s Gaetan Bong, which was caught by the cameras but not the referee. It was a sign of frustration from a striker who is having no luck in front of goal.

Lukaku’s single strike in his last 11 appearances came in a 4-1 win over Newcastle in November and next up are two monstrous league clashes – Arsenal away then Manchester City at home.

As United aim to chase down their neighbours and Premier League leaders City, they need their striker to find his shooting boots, branded or not.

At Vicarage Road, the Belgian was well involved in United’s opener – a goal against the run of play which got them going. He threw his weight around and was a handful.

Lukaku's confidence looks to have drained out of him following a superb start to the season

Yet the second half told a different story.

First, Lukaku had a chance to shoot inside the box but attempted to cross and it came to nothing. The confidence was not there.

Then, he squandered an opportunity to score which looked harder to miss, taking too many touches and allowing Heurelho Gomes and Watford’s defenders to do their job.

As Mourinho said afterwards, his side could and should have scored ‘seven or eight’, though he stopped short of naming and shaming.

United’s travelling army could tell Lukaku was trying, though there was no clinical finish for them to celebrate. They stayed supportive but know, had he finished his chances, there would have been no threat of a comeback by Watford and no late scare.

Mourinho had his untouchables at Chelsea, including striker Didier Drogba, and £75m Lukaku may be one of those at United. It isn’t often a player doesn’t do his job yet has the full support of the Portuguese at his post-match press conference, after all.

Mourinho may view Lukaku as untouchable, in the same way Drogba was at Chelsea

But Manchester United can't afford to carry the Belgian in a crucial period of the season

Yet ahead of matches which could make or break their Premier League season, Mourinho cannot afford to have any passengers.

United drew 15 games last season, more than any other side in the top flight. They wound up 24 points off champions Chelsea and finished in sixth position, albeit while also winning the Europa League.

They have only drawn twice this season but want to be able to count on a centre forward who can turn one point into three when required.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, at the age of 36, is breathing down Lukaku's neck, though is unlikely to become their new No 1 unless Mourinho feels it is time for drastic measures.

That is the gist of what Gary Neville said this week: ’I don't see Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a threat to Lukaku at all but as a supplement.

‘The only way Ibrahimovic can become No 1 is if the aura of Zlatan gets to Lukaku.

‘Zlatan is confident but Lukaku is No 1, the fans and the manager believe in him and if he does have any demons then he needs to clear them from his mind.’

A goal against Arsenal might allow those worries to wash away and get Lukaku going again. 

Meanwhile, a fit-again Zlatan Ibrahimovic waits for his chance to impress from the bench