Lukaku or Morata?

Who do you prefer?

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Not a United fan so I won't vote and mess up the poll, but for me Lukaku. A more consistently goalscorer throughout his career so far and proven in this league, there's no reason why he can't go to United and score 25 goals in the league like he did with Everton last year as he should get a similar number of chances (chances lost to other players =/= extra chances created by better players). Just think he's a more safe pick which really you need when talking about spending £70m+ on a striker.

Also United shouldn't be putting any money in to Real's transfer kitty. They're already the best team in Europe without giving them the tools to strengthen, and more importantly they're complete c*nts who all top teams should avoid dealing with if possible.
 
Devil may care said:
If you want to have a functioning attacking unit then Morata is by far the better player, with Lukaku you basically have to cater the whole attack to him because he's not got much in his game, he's a good finisher but little else, Morata can hold the ball up, bring others in and be a pivot that will see other attackers thrive.
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Agree that the attack basically has to be built to serve Lukaku but that doesn't mean it can't function as a unit. It would just be an attacking unit with a particular focal point. It's not like such teams haven't prospered before.

Plus it was always unlikely that our current manager would opt for a more fluid attack, I think. In a lot of ways the Lukaku signing chimes with the reference he made to us lacking a player like Hernandez to simply put away the chances we were creating.
 
sullydnl said:
Agree that the attack basically has to be built to serve Lukaku but that doesn't mean it can't function as a unit. It would just be an attacking unit with a particular focal point. It's not like such teams haven't prospered before.

Plus it was always unlikely that our current manager would opt for a more fluid attack, I think. In a lot of ways the Lukaku signing chimes with the reference he made to us lacking a player like Hernandez to simply put away the chances we were creating.
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It's a backwards way of doing things, top teams have attacking unites now, they don['t just have a bunch of players serving one target, at any rate what you say in the bolded line is spot on and why I wont be bothering.
 
Turkleton said:
What is Lukaku's record like against big teams? I get the impression he's great at bullying lesser teams but disappears in big matches.
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Agreed, one of my few worries regarding this potential signing, and your impression would be backed up by the stats i would suggest. Probably fair to note that Everton don't tend to perform that well against the top six in general, so a lack of quality service and a reduction in opportunities may (hopefully!) account for this otherwise concerning contrast in fortunes.

As an alternative view -and probably the real basis for my unease- would suggest a far more worrying lack of composure in big games, or a even a deficiency to apply his technique under pressure. These would be more mental strength issues and much harder to remedy, than a simple lack of opportunities. Looking like we will soon find out i suppose.
 
Dembeza said:
Lukaku.

I really don't buy the general consensus that Lukaku isn't talented.
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Don't think many would argue he has talent, but talent isn't always enough.
i remember a quote from Klinsmann, (but not that well, because im paraphrasing! :)) where he claimed, that most strikers at the top level are all super talented, but the main difference between the very good and the very best is one simply of composure. The ability to maintain a cool head, have trust in your technique and therefore make the right decisions when the pressure is at it's highest.

This is clearly a mental attribute which then compliments and maximizes a players natural talent. Without this mental strength a player under increased pressure will often lack that capacity to keep his composure, maintain confidence in their technique and subsequently make the right decisions. Therefore under those more intense conditions he will be far less likely to be able to reproduce what we know he is usually capable of.

when you play for a big club, you are going to play in big games and you are expected to produce. That is a test of mental strength, and really the measure for any great striker. Lukaku is talented, no doubt, but is he mentally strong enough to fully optimize that talent and prove himself at the highest level? Let's hope so.
 
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I'm starting to think Morata might be a better option, after contemplating a bit more. Still up in the air, mind.
 
sullydnl said:
Agree that the attack basically has to be built to serve Lukaku but that doesn't mean it can't function as a unit. It would just be an attacking unit with a particular focal point. It's not like such teams haven't prospered before.

Plus it was always unlikely that our current manager would opt for a more fluid attack, I think. In a lot of ways the Lukaku signing chimes with the reference he made to us lacking a player like Hernandez to simply put away the chances we were creating.
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Hi attack was fluid enough at Madrid. It all just depends on the players available to him.

Where Mourinho's pref comes to play is in his love for 4-2-3-1 scheme which to be effective requires that his lone CF be good enough to tie down the 2 CBs which gives the #10 the opportunity to make runs and exploit the spaces. That is easier to achieve if you have a big physical and mobile striker like Drogba, who can easily best most CBs for position 1v1. Such a striker also gives you an outlet for long balls that can lead to quick counters. Physical advantages are not dependent on form and are always difficult to nullify which is why Mourinho loves having them e.g. taller and/or faster players.

As to the current pursuit, the underlying problem is that there is really a lack of top tier forwards in the market. Neither Lukaku nor Morata should be in the position of where they are the best the market has to offer and are now going for outrageous prices. In the past they would have been second or 3rd tier options behind the established options.
 
Accidentally clicked on Lukaku, who is the striker I least preferred. :wenger:
 
I actually think that it's weird how well suited each of these players are for each team. Lukaku fits us perfectly. Lacazette seems born to play for Arsenal and Morata would work brilliantly with the likes of Hazard, Fabregas and Pedro. It's bizarre that Chelsea are even chasing Lukaku when Morata seems like he fits so well.

I'd be happy with either of Morata or Lukaku but I'd prefer Lukaku. I'd also be cool with Belotti as I think he's going to be great. My ideal would be Lewandowski though :P
 
Lord Megadrive said:
I think this season we should see a better Mhiki, hopefully Martials head will be in the game from day one, and with Rashford as an impact sub we should have a better attack anyway. IF (and this is where our season lies i think) they all click and Lukaku seizes the opportunity we could have one if not the best attack in the league
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I concur. Huge if and it depends on Lukaku being compatible with the other attackers. I am ambivalent over this issue.

We need proper wing play though. Mkhi is a midfielder of sorts playing wide and Martial has to get out of his rut. We should expect plenty of crosses and through balls next season as Lukaku thrives on these.
 
Seeing as we paid more for Lukaku than Real were asking for Morata, is the logical conclusion that Mourinho thinks Lukaku is the better player? If so, I guess that should tip the balance hugely in his favour.
 
These Morata rumours won't go to bed. Could we end up getting both? I'd be very surprised, but I wouldn't put it past Mourinho.

Of course if he gets both, it'll mean one playing in their less favoured position (most likely Morata) on the wing. Kind of what he did with Eto'o at Inter.

A front free of say:

Morata Lukaku Mkhitaryan
 
Dante said:
Seeing as we paid more for Lukaku than Real were asking for Morata, is the logical conclusion that Mourinho thinks Lukaku is the better player? If so, I guess that should tip the balance hugely in his favour.
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Unless he's looking to get both.
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
These Morata rumours won't go to bed. Could we end up getting both? I'd be very surprised, but I wouldn't put it past Mourinho.

Of course if he gets both, it'll mean one playing in their less favoured position (most likely Morata) on the wing. Kind of what he did with Eto'o at Inter.

A front free of say:

Morata Lukaku Mkhitaryan
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What about Martial------Lukaku-------Rashford
 
It's just a video game and shouldn't be taken seriously.

For the fun of it though, I took some screenshots of Lukaku and Morata in FIFA 17 for comparison's sake and created a 5-frame GIF of it. Take note, these are the "regular" stats, not the FUT childish shite.

Lukaku_vs_Morata.gif


Advantage Lukaku in the game, but I think it's the other way around in real life.
 
Didn't vote as haven't seen enough of Morata to compare. But it's useful to note that both Mourinho and Conte preferred Lukaku over Morata when both were available at roughly the same prices (Morata was likely cheaper if anything). That's two top managers in the world so I am happy enough!
 
CG1010 said:
Didn't vote as haven't seen enough of Morata to compare. But it's useful to note that both Mourinho and Conte preferred Lukaku over Morata when both were available at roughly the same prices (Morata was likely cheaper if anything). That's two top managers in the world so I am happy enough!
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I agree, but the armchair fan knows better!
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
These Morata rumours won't go to bed. Could we end up getting both? I'd be very surprised, but I wouldn't put it past Mourinho.

Of course if he gets both, it'll mean one playing in their less favoured position (most likely Morata) on the wing. Kind of what he did with Eto'o at Inter.

A front free of say:

Morata Lukaku Mkhitaryan
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When he obviously wants to the play the #9 role why on earth would he come here to play on the left wing?
 
RDCR07 said:
When he obviously wants to the play the #9 role why on earth would he come here to play on the left wing?
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Think he more wants game time, which is what we'd be able to give him.

As for the wing role, he'd be more of an inside forward, who would, more often than not, find himself within the width of the penalty area.
 
RDCR07 said:
When he obviously wants to the play the #9 role why on earth would he come here to play on the left wing?
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Why on Earth would we only need one number 9 we have a ton of games to play and we had 4 strikers only SAF as a rule. Players are injured all the time also so nothing to say Lukaku will be there all the time when needed. Morata would still play there more here than at Real or probably any other top club. Fact is he isn't going to walk into an elite club as a main striker..hasn't yet anyway.
 
RedorDead21 said:
Why on Earth would we only need one number 9 we have a ton of games to play and we had 4 strikers only SAF as a rule. Players are injured all the time also so nothing to say Lukaku will be there all the time when needed. Morata would still play there more here than at Real or probably any other top club. Fact is he isn't going to walk into an elite club as a main striker..hasn't yet anyway.
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Exactly, this should be a part of the equation ahead of every new season. United should not act with a starting line-up in mind. Big clubs need big squads with quality depth. Not easy, since most players want as many minutes as possible, especially the good ones – but doable.

It's impossible to predict injuries and other type of absences, it is however the manager's responsibility to prepare for them. Just imagine if our main striker is off to a great start and gets injured. With the pace and power of the game these days, shit happens frequently. What then?

So why not a Lukaku, Morata, Rashford and Martial, for example? It gives us more options for almost every match we'll play, with main emphasis on PL and CL.
 
Shuriken said:
Exactly, this should be a part of the equation ahead of every new season. United should not act with a starting line-up in mind. Big clubs need big squads with quality depth. Not easy, since most players want as many minutes as possible, especially the good ones – but doable.

It's impossible to predict injuries and other type of absences, it is however the manager's responsibility to prepare for them. Just imagine if our main striker is off to a great start and gets injured. With the pace and power of the game these days, shit happens frequently. What then?

So why not a Lukaku, Morata, Rashford and Martial, for example? It gives us more options for almost every match we'll play, with main emphasis on PL and CL.
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As amazing as it sounds there is no way united would spend another £80mill on a striker to rotate with Lukaku. If we buy another striker (and i hope we do) we should be looking for a decent back up.
 
iammemphis said:
As amazing as it sounds there is no way united would spend another £80mill on a striker to rotate with Lukaku. If we buy another striker (and i hope we do) we should be looking for a decent back up.
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You're right, it's not probable, but it doesn't necessarily have to be Morata either, just an example with the thread's context in mind.

It can also be a Lukaku, Martial, Rashford and a surprise return of Zlatan in January, who knows. Or perhaps a player who could fill in other gaps too, not just play as a striker. Like Griezmann, although he wouldn't be eligible to play for us in CL if we'd get him in the winter transfer window. You get my idea. :)
 
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