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da roleta： Following Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford at the hand of Juventus on Tuesday night, Jose Mourinho was asked about the ongoing poor form of striker Romelu Lukaku, as reported by Sky Sports.
What did he say?
Having drawn another blank against the Italian giants, the Belgian No. 9 has now gone eight consecutive games for the Red Devils in all competitions without finding the back of the net.
Upon this issue, Mourinho commented:
“No criticism at all, a complete understanding the player is a fantastic pro that wants to give everything.
But I have to agree his moment is not sweet, not just with the goals he is not scoring but in his confidence, movement, touch, he is not linking the game well with the team – but he’s our striker and he’s a good striker and a striker we believe in.
Could I play Rashford there? But then I don’t have a winger because in this moment we are in this difficult situation.
He (Lukaku) is a hard-working guy, is a good professional, but one day the goal will arrive and the confidence will be back.”
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What did he mean?
Having splashed out £75 million in the summer of 2017 to sign Lukaku from Everton, Mourinho has to stand by his striker. The coach – who is under significant pressure at Old Trafford himself – will be hoping that by publicly declaring his retained faith in the 25-year-old, he will be boosted back to his best form.
Mourinho will be aware that giving Lukaku extra confidence at this time is the best way to improve his performances.
That is not all that is being said here, though. The manager’s comments also raise questions as to the role of Alexis Sanchez.
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Alexis cast aside?
Mourinho admits that playing Marcus Rashford in a central role would leave him short of a winger. Yet, in January, the Red Devils brought in exactly that – a winger – in the shape of Alexis Sanchez and made him the highest paid player in the Premier League.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Sanchez missed Tuesday night’s ill-fated Champions League clash with Juventus as Mourinho ruled that ‘he is unfit’. Yet, even at full fitness, it is unlikely that the Chilean would have started the match given that he has been benched for United’s last two games prior to the Italians’ arrival.
Fit or not for the midweek fixture, the fact that Mourinho counted Rashford as his only wide option at this time is telling. Either Sanchez has an as yet undisclosed long-term fitness concern or the 29-year-old is not currently figuring in the manager’s immediate plans. Neither option is a palatable state of affairs for United fans, especially as the latter instance suggests that Mourinho would rather persevere with an out-of-form Lukaku rather than include Sanchez in his starting XI at all.