Romelu Lukaku’s Manchester United form on the rise after bust-up with Jose Mourinho over his positioning
Big-money striker hit a rough patch recently but is now scoring again after changing his style of play
JOSE MOURINHO has turned Romelu Lukaku’s goalscoring form around after a bust-up with the striker over his positioning.
Lukaku had a great start to his Manchester United career — grabbing 11 goals in his first ten games.
But he then hit a drought, scoring just one in 12.
It was after that, earlier this month, that Mourinho sought him out and told him he was simply not playing far enough forward.
He said he was sick of shouting that to him during games from the technical area and him not responding.
He felt Lukaku was dropping deep in games to get involved when the chances were not coming his way.
The big Belgian stood his ground with Mourinho but the manager insisted he was bought to be on the shoulder of the last defender and in the box to score goals.
SUN BETS: BET £10 GET A FREE £30 BET
Since then Lukaku has scored three in his last four starts.
The disagreement between the manager and the £75million striker, though, might explain his recent muted goal celebrations.
ON THE PUL Man Utd line up move for Dortmund's Christian Pulisic
United could certainly do with Lukaku continuing this goalscoring run to lift the mood at Old Trafford.
It was already flat before the midweek Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat away to Bristol City — when Lukaku came on in the second half but could not get on the scoresheet.
Man Utd transfer news
Mourinho’s mood in yesterday’s press conference — ahead of this evening’s trip to Leicester was very downbeat.
Antonio Valencia, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick are all still out through injury while Eric Bailly had his ankle surgery yesterday.
Mourinho once again complained about fixtures, suggesting there was a conspiracy against United with their festive calendar compared to others.
Mourinho said: “There are other teams in the same situation as we are and Leicester is one of them.
Most Read In Sport
“We did a simple objective study on that and there is a big gap, a really big gap between some clubs and others.
“There are clearly the ones that are really privileged and there are clearly another group of those that are really punished by the decisions of the calendar and there are another group in the middle of it, where I would like to be.
“I know I would never be in the top group but in the middle group we would like to be.”
Asked if he seriously felt it was deliberate Mourinho replied: “It’s a good question. You want me to be punished, right?”
He has at least avoided punishment for his comments about the referee ahead of the Manchester derby.
The FA also said they would not be taking any action over the tunnel bust-up after that clash.
Mourinho was asked if he was happy about that as he was leaving the press room. He said: “Ask the people who were hit with a bottle.”
At which point his press officer Karen Shotbolt was asked for her comments as she is understood to have born the brunt of the exploding milk carton.
They both laughed as they exited stage left.
Now Mourinho needs his team to put a smile back on the fans’ faces.