[Mockney]

I disagree on the basis that we haven't always had world class strikers at all, we have had 'decent' strikers who fit the system well.

In the PL era our top scoring strikers have included:

Hughes - PFA POTY. Could score from anywhere, often mercurially. Goals in CWC & FA Cup Finals.
Kanchelskis - Winger. Still creative enough to be on this list.
Solksjaer - 6th highest goal per minute ratio in PL history. 2nd behind only Ruud for us.
Cole - 3rd highest PL goal scorer ever (2nd until last season, when overtaken by Rooney Mk.2) PFA YPOTY, PFA runner up in 98, 9th in the Ballon D'or in '99.
Yorke - Creative catalyst & game changer in our most successful season ever
Sheringham - PFA Player of the year. Tottenham legend before he signed. Milwall's highest ever scorer before he signed. Creative.
Berbatov - Least arguable player on this list, yet still top scorer in a title winning season, and undoubted creative.
Rooney Mk.2 - Has scored as many this season as Lukaku.
You could even argue Cantona - This is clearly too far for any United fan.

None of these players would constitute "decent" to most, if any fan. They may not be fully World Class, but they were all to a man in the top brass of Premier League forwards in their time. Unless you're arguing anything below Ballon D'or winning class is technically "decent", you're stretching. Kevin Phillips and Emile Heskey were decent. Andy Cole, Eric Cantona & Wayne Rooney were all considered amongst the top 25 PL players ever by multiple publications.

Another less critical but still notable thing, is that all these players stayed in similar shape throughout their careers (even down to the haircut in Teddy’s case) whereas Lukaku has already near doubled in size since he was 20. This may not necessarily be a bad thing, but it’s likely not a reversable thing, for better or worse.

Look, I'm not writing him off, and am genuinely loathed to be so critical as to give the knee-jerk brigade ammunition, but there were a lot of doubts when he signed. It'd be disingenuous to pretend there weren't. Or to act like they're some terrible secret we should bury away because he's our player now and it's unhelpful to mention it. Nothing would please me more for him to grow into a Cole, or a Yorke, or a Hughes, or a Solksjear. I want to be wrong. I'm just not pretending I'm confident of it.

 

[Pace Abuser]

It puzzles me how often he gets bullied in the air by defenders.

You'd think a unit like him would put himself about a bit.

To my mind it's because he lacks good judgement of the balls flight. I've seen him time and time again at Old Trafford unable to position himself correctly and the defender is able to gain a margin on him and win the duel while he's still adjusting.

 

[Pace Abuser]

Lukaku is NOT lazy.

He tries and applies himself alright. It's a stupid accusation to level against him. He's just knackered and needs a rest at the moment.
Could barely move toward the end against Bournemouth.

 

[11101]

Hughes - PFA POTY. Could score from anywhere, often mercurially. Goals in CWC & FA Cup Finals.
Kanchelskis - Winger. Still creative enough to be on this list.
Solksjaer - 6th highest goal per minute ratio in PL history. 2nd behind only Ruud for us.
Cole - 3rd highest PL goal scorer ever (2nd until last season, when overtaken by Rooney Mk.2) PFA YPOTY, PFA runner up in 98, 9th in the Ballon D'or in '99.
Yorke - Creative catalyst & game changer in our most successful season ever
Sheringham - PFA Player of the year. Tottenham legend before he signed. Milwall's highest ever scorer before he signed. Creative.
Berbatov - Least arguable player on this list, yet still top scorer in a title winning season, and undoubted creative.
Rooney Mk.2 - Has scored as many this season as Lukaku.
You could even argue Cantona - This is clearly too far for any United fan.

None of these players would constitute "decent" to most, if any fan. They may not be fully World Class, but they were all to a man in the top brass of Premier League forwards in their time. Unless you're arguing anything below Ballon D'or winning class is technically "decent", you're stretching. Kevin Phillips and Emile Heskey were decent. Andy Cole, Eric Cantona & Wayne Rooney were all considered amongst the top 25 PL players ever by multiple publications.

Another less critical but still notable thing, is that all these players stayed in similar shape throughout their careers (even down to the haircut in Teddy’s case) whereas Lukaku has already near doubled in size since he was 20. This may not necessarily be a bad thing, but it’s likely not a reversable thing, for better or worse.

Look, I'm not writing him off, and am genuinely loathed to be so critical as to give the knee-jerk brigade ammunition, but there were a lot of doubts when he signed. It'd be disingenuous to pretend there weren't. Or to act like they're some terrible secret we should bury away because he's our player now and it's unhelpful to mention it. Nothing would please me more for him to grow into a Cole, or a Yorke, or a Hughes, or a Solksjear. I want to be wrong. I'm just not pretending I'm confident of it.

The point you're missing is all those players hit their career peaks when they were playing for us, in a style that suited them. Berbatov and possibly Cole aside none of them were ever that good before joining us or after leaving us. Lukaku at Everton was better than any of them were before they came to Manchester United.

You can't compare Lukaku now with those players at their career peaks.

 

[Kweku Amonoo]

Dump Lukaku asap. Let's focus on the two mercurial striking talents we have, instead of shunting them out wide in favor of this less talented, unintelligent poacher who we should have never signed in the first place. I already posted this in another thread, but, United would be brilliant if we lined up this way under a more attack oriented manager. (All we really need is a good rb):

Martial ---- Rashford

Shaw ----- Pogba ------ Pereira ----- Meunier

-- Herrera --

--- Blind --- Smalling --- Lindelof ---

--- De Gea ---

 

[Mockney]

The point you're missing is all those players hit their career peaks when they were playing for us, in a style that suited them. Berbatov and possibly Cole aside none of them were ever that good before joining us or after leaving us. Lukaku at Everton was better than any of them were before they came to Manchester United.

You can't compare Lukaku now with those players at their career peaks.

Sheringham and Yorke weren’t that good before joining us? Both scored more for their previous clubs than for us.

 

[Striker10]

Lukakus stats are good BUT there is plenty of room for improvement. It's not beyond anyone to develop their game more at 24 and that's what he should be focusing on. He's clearly not a target man so his hold up play/flick ons etc....will be hit and miss. I think starting out wide and facing the defender will give him a better chance because he can get on the ball and use his strength more.

 

[haram]

Dump Lukaku asap. Let's focus on the two mercurial striking talents we have, instead of shunting them out wide in favor of this less talented, unintelligent poacher who we should have never signed in the first place. I already posted this in another thread, but, United would be brilliant if we lined up this way under a more attack oriented manager. (All we really need is a good rb):

Martial ---- Rashford

Shaw ----- Pogba ------ Pereira ----- Meunier

-- Herrera --

--- Blind --- Smalling --- Lindelof ---

--- De Gea ---

Why have you dropped Matic as well...

 

[KYcinco]

Dump Lukaku asap. Let's focus on the two mercurial striking talents we have, instead of shunting them out wide in favor of this less talented, unintelligent poacher who we should have never signed in the first place. I already posted this in another thread, but, United would be brilliant if we lined up this way under a more attack oriented manager. (All we really need is a good rb):

Martial ---- Rashford

Shaw ----- Pogba ------ Pereira ----- Meunier

-- Herrera --

--- Blind --- Smalling --- Lindelof ---

--- De Gea ---

What a dreadful line up.

 

[NinjaZombie]

Might have to consider Mou didn't exactly know what he was getting. He wouldn't willingly sign a striker that can't play effectively as a lone striker or targetman as that's what his favoured tactics require.

But his point was, a club like United would have done their homework on a transfer. The club would've known his strengths and weaknesses. It's baffling.

 

[Maradona10]

Dump Lukaku asap. Let's focus on the two mercurial striking talents we have, instead of shunting them out wide in favor of this less talented, unintelligent poacher who we should have never signed in the first place. I already posted this in another thread, but, United would be brilliant if we lined up this way under a more attack oriented manager. (All we really need is a good rb):

Martial ---- Rashford

Shaw ----- Pogba ------ Pereira ----- Meunier

-- Herrera --

--- Blind --- Smalling --- Lindelof ---

--- De Gea ---

Sometimes i wish the old newbie system was still in place.

 

[Home&Away]

Sometimes i wish the old newbie system was still in place.

Its not a bad post though the line-up has a few flaws - it's not necessary to target him like that.

 

[Greck]

But his point was, a club like United would have done their homework on a transfer. The club would've known his strengths and weaknesses. It's baffling.

I got his point but even then, we often get the manager whatever target he asks. Neither Woodward nor our scouts would tell Jose 'I don't know. His first touch and control aren't united standard. Perhaps look elsewhere'

 

[Maradona10]

Its not a bad post though the line-up has a few flaws - it's not necessary to target him like that.

Selling your best striker who you have purchased 5 months ago for a huge fee and not giving him a chance while he has scored 14 goals already, while your best player has been injured and starting with two players uptop who have a very shady record of scoring. Then that line up with periera, herrera(what position is that?) and blind, i just well dont want to waste my energy typing a lengthy reply.

 

[AltiUn]

Dump Lukaku asap. Let's focus on the two mercurial striking talents we have, instead of shunting them out wide in favor of this less talented, unintelligent poacher who we should have never signed in the first place. I already posted this in another thread, but, United would be brilliant if we lined up this way under a more attack oriented manager. (All we really need is a good rb):

Martial ---- Rashford

Shaw ----- Pogba ------ Pereira ----- Meunier

-- Herrera --

--- Blind --- Smalling --- Lindelof ---

--- De Gea ---

Dump Lukaku? People were saying the same about Lindelof 15 minutes ago now he's suddenly great and going to make it, Lukaku is going through a poor run of form completely devoid of confidence, once he gets his confidence back he'll start scoring again.

Also, that line up is an absolute mess from top to bottom we'd be far from brilliant, teams would walk through us like we weren't even there. Where's the hold up play with a top 2 of Martial and Rashford? Why are we playing 1 DM and 2 attacking midfielders? Why is Blind suddenly an option for us at CB whilst also forgetting our 2 best CBs in Bailly and Jones.

 

[macheda14]

Its not a bad post though the line-up has a few flaws - it's not necessary to target him like that.

It’s a bad post. It’s a very bad post.

 

[Home&Away]

Selling your best striker who you have purchased 5 months ago for a huge fee and not giving him a chance while he has scored 14 goals already, while your best player has been injured and starting with two players uptop who have a very shady record of scoring. Then that line up with periera, herrera(what position is that?) and blind, i just well dont want to waste my energy typing a lengthy reply.

Its under the Lukaku thread because many don't think he is our best striker at the moment & getting a free card to formless starting XI position is simply unfair when other players are getting subbed or not used until the 60 minute mark. Blind is quality in a back 3 even though he should play centrally in defence to fluctuate between smallings position & herreras whilst the latter should be replaced by Lingard in behind the two inside forwards.

Its not a bad post & may only seem like to fans who over appreciate lukaku, underappreciate the likes of Blind, emphasis on pereira being a more passing orientated midfielder is more of a thought of that would work out in a 352 rather than dropping matic as a view to his ability. Herrera is a no go

 

[Home&Away]

It’s a bad post. It’s a very bad post.

Explain? Lukaku should have been dropped but we are consistently acting like our only strikers are him & ibrahimpvic which leaves us with no options.

Personally I'm not happy with Rashfords development this year & that's not because he isn't great but because he really hasn't all that many games as a striker. His first season, he was a finisher & a relatively consistent one who would find pockets of space around the box making tap ins etc. Whilst there is nothing wrong with his ability to shoot from long range; his focus on this is a direct representation of him being placed further & further away from the goal.

People are overly frustrated with Lukaku & calling for his sale not necessarily because that's the best idea but because he is a representation of Jose's inability to flex on his tactics & players.

 

[Greck]

Blind/Herrera arent better than Lukaku at their positions. Teams already came into the season targeting Blind. He can do a job there but that's it.

I could meet you halfway and say it's a bit frustrating Lukaku is allowed to hold down his position while Rashford isn't tried there more often. Without technical talents, Lukaku has a very low ceiling. We're all just hoping he proves us wrong because of how much we paid. No one expected Hernandez to become Van Persie so I hope we try something else soon

 

[Pexbo]

Blind/Herrera arent better than Lukaku at their positions. Teams already came into the season targeting Blind. He can do a job there but that's it.

I could meet you halfway and say it's a bit frustrating Lukaku is allowed to hold down his position while Rashford isn't tried there more often. Without technical talents, Lukaku has a very low ceiling. We're all just hoping he proves us wrong because of how much we paid. No one expected Hernandez to become Van Persie so I hope we try something else soon

They might have targeted Blind but that means feck all when he gave them no change.

 

[Witchking]

Selling your best striker who you have purchased 5 months ago for a huge fee and not giving him a chance while he has scored 14 goals already, while your best player has been injured and starting with two players uptop who have a very shady record of scoring. Then that line up with periera, herrera(what position is that?) and blind, i just well dont want to waste my energy typing a lengthy reply.

Rather you not type a reply at all if you are going to get personal.

Agree with not selling Lukaku but questioning Martial and Rashford's goal scoring records when both have constantly been shunted to the wide areas and are competing with each other for one position versus a striker who has played all of United's games is a bit rich.

 

[RuudTom83]

The team is improving but still lacks balance.

Sort the RW position out with someone who can actually cross on a consistent basis and THEN you will see Lukaku score with ease.

Simply having Pogba on the pitch makes his life so much easier, give with a RW and a decent no.10 and he won’t be scrapping off 2-3 chances a game.

 

[Canagel]

Dump Lukaku asap. Let's focus on the two mercurial striking talents we have, instead of shunting them out wide in favor of this less talented, unintelligent poacher who we should have never signed in the first place. I already posted this in another thread, but, United would be brilliant if we lined up this way under a more attack oriented manager. (All we really need is a good rb):

Martial ---- Rashford

Shaw ----- Pogba ------ Pereira ----- Meunier

-- Herrera --

--- Blind --- Smalling --- Lindelof ---

--- De Gea ---

That line up is worse than what we play now. No Matic, Rojo, Bailly. We would get torn apart like this.

 

[crossy1686]

That line up is worse than what we play now. No Matic, Rojo, Bailly. We would get torn apart like this.

Yeah but.......drop Lukaku, sack Mourinho, play attacking football. It's what everyone wants...

 

[edgar allan]

The team is improving but still lacks balance.

Sort the RW position out with someone who can actually cross on a consistent basis and THEN you will see Lukaku score with ease.

Simply having Pogba on the pitch makes his life so much easier, give with a RW and a decent no.10 and he won’t be scrapping off 2-3 chances a game.

Any chance we could replace him with a forward that can create something for himself also?

 

[edgar allan]

Dump Lukaku asap. Let's focus on the two mercurial striking talents we have, instead of shunting them out wide in favor of this less talented, unintelligent poacher who we should have never signed in the first place. I already posted this in another thread, but, United would be brilliant if we lined up this way under a more attack oriented manager. (All we really need is a good rb):

Martial ---- Rashford

Shaw ----- Pogba ------ Pereira ----- Meunier

-- Herrera --

--- Blind --- Smalling --- Lindelof ---

--- De Gea ---

Are you a friend/relation of Daley Blinds?

 

[RuudTom83]

Any chance we could replace him with a forward that can create something for himself also?

Wouldn't you say Zlatan can do that? and even he got constant criticism last season.

Football is a team game and the constant crying for a shiny new player is tiresome.

If Lakaku can get between 25-30 goals this season he will have had a good first season...in my opinion!

 

[Sandikan]

When he had the hot goalscoring run in August/Sep, he had Pogba and Mhky creating loads of chances.

All of a sudden one is injured and one's form dropped off a cliff, not to mention that we've played some of the big teams over the last 2 months too.

While Mhky's position looks fragile, at least when Pogba is back the outlook will improve

 

[Sandikan]

Dump Lukaku asap. Let's focus on the two mercurial striking talents we have, instead of shunting them out wide in favor of this less talented, unintelligent poacher who we should have never signed in the first place. I already posted this in another thread, but, United would be brilliant if we lined up this way under a more attack oriented manager. (All we really need is a good rb):

Martial ---- Rashford

Shaw ----- Pogba ------ Pereira ----- Meunier

-- Herrera --

--- Blind --- Smalling --- Lindelof ---

--- De Gea ---

You must be the only poster on the café who would drop Matic!

 

[edgar allan]

Wouldn't you say Zlatan can do that? and even he got constant criticism last season.

Football is a team game and the constant crying for a shiny new player is tiresome.

If Lakaku can get between 25-30 goals this season he will have had a good first season...in my opinion!

I would say that Ibra could have done that 3-4 years ago, however time has caught up with him.

I like Lukaku, he is hard working and he gives his best. He has very obvious limitations but he would no doubt be more effective in a 2 man forward line with a skillful forward up beside him. I can't see him being the long term solution but we were in desperate need of a goal scorer this season.

 

[roonster09]

 

[Hed Zitin]

No one can possibly be saying he isn't working hard. That's horse shit. His effort has been there for all to see.

West Brom is going to be really tough for him. They have the defenders that can exploit all his weakness.

 

[JohnnyKills]

No one can possibly be saying he isn't working hard. That's horse shit. His effort has been there for all to see.

West Brom is going to be really tough for him. They have the defenders that can exploit all his weakness.

Yeah his workrate is excellent. And he seems a brilliant guy to have around the dressing room.

He's just not technically good enough for an elite club. Everton was his level.

 

[crossy1686]

Yeah his workrate is excellent. And he seems a brilliant guy to have around the dressing room.

He's just not technically good enough for an elite club. Everton was his level.

Just what are you basing this statement on? His late miss against City? Or the fact that Pogba, our main creative outlet has spent a lot of this season injured or banned? Or maybe the that we don't have any natural wingers capable of whipping in crosses for him?

He's the first foreign player in the Premier League to score 50 goals before his 23rd birthday, one of only 5 players to do this ever.
All time record goalscorer for Belgium.
Every season in the Premier League he's scored more than the previous season and despite only being at United for 5 months, has scored 14 goals in all competitions at the age of 24 with half the season still to go.

There are strikers in the PL right now in their late 20's/30's who wish they had his record. To write off a 24 year old striker playing his first season ever for one of the biggest clubs in the world, despite all the records he's broken previously, just doesn't make any sense.

 

[JohnnyKills]

Just what are you basing this statement on? His late miss against City? Or the fact that Pogba, our main creative outlet has spent a lot of this season injured or banned? Or maybe the that we don't have any natural wingers capable of whipping in crosses for him?

He's the first foreign player in the Premier League to score 50 goals before his 23rd birthday, one of only 5 players to do this ever.
All time record goalscorer for Belgium.
Every season in the Premier League he's scored more than the previous season and despite only being at United for 5 months, has scored 14 goals in all competitions at the age of 24 with half the season still to go.

There are strikers in the PL right now in their late 20's/30's who wish they had his record. To write off a 24 year old striker playing his first season ever for one of the biggest clubs in the world, despite all the records he's broken previously, just doesn't make any sense.

It's based on watching him mate.

 

[whatwha]

Just what are you basing this statement on? His late miss against City? Or the fact that Pogba, our main creative outlet has spent a lot of this season injured or banned? Or maybe the that we don't have any natural wingers capable of whipping in crosses for him?

He's the first foreign player in the Premier League to score 50 goals before his 23rd birthday, one of only 5 players to do this ever.
All time record goalscorer for Belgium.
Every season in the Premier League he's scored more than the previous season and despite only being at United for 5 months, has scored 14 goals in all competitions at the age of 24 with half the season still to go.

There are strikers in the PL right now in their late 20's/30's who wish they had his record. To write off a 24 year old striker playing his first season ever for one of the biggest clubs in the world, despite all the records he's broken previously, just doesn't make any sense.

Lovely stats For those who are more concerned with numbers than actual performances.

Pretty sure it's based on the fact that it's clear for everyone to see that his technique is pretty fecking bad.

 

[crossy1686]

It's based on watching him mate.

Lovely stats For those who are more concerned with numbers than actual performances.

Pretty sure it's based on the fact that it's clear for everyone to see that his technique is pretty fecking bad.

Yeah, maybe it's just me that prefers to focus on the actual goal stats instead of writing him off because of how he looks when he strikes the ball or runs. Guess I'm just focusing on things that aren't important to an elite club.

 

[space]

He is a good player, he is young, he will learn more and more as he goes a long. It is only his first season at a huge club. We should be more concerned about Mata and Mkhi, they are in their prime and not delivering anything close to what they should be

 

[JohnnyKills]

Yeah, maybe it's just me that prefers to focus on the actual goal stats instead of writing him off because of how he looks when he strikes the ball or runs. Guess I'm just focusing on things that aren't important to an elite club.

Everyone who's criticising Lukaku has seen the stats mate. It's not like you've discovered some hidden truth that the rest of us don't appreciate.

What I (and, I imagine, the other critics) are saying is quite simple. Lukaku is clearly going to score goals against the lesser teams - he's too quick and powerful for them. But against the better teams he's going to struggle because his touch and awareness aren't good enough. Everyone said it before he arrived and he's proving the doubters right so far.

He's plundered plenty of goals against the weaker sides, and that's great, but against the top sides - Real Madrid, Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs - he's struggled. He's only scored one goal, a tap-in against RM in the Super Cup, and only really played well in one game - Arsenal, the weakest of those top teams.

None of the Lukaku critics has an agenda, we just don't think he's got the technique to thrive against the top teams, which Manchester United need.

But hey, if you want to think this is just biased, agenda-driven rubbish, go ahead.

 

[JohnnyKills]

He is a good player, he is young, he will learn more and more as he goes a long. It is only his first season at a huge club. We should be more concerned about Mata and Mkhi, they are in their prime and not delivering anything close to what they should be

He's 24! Not exactly a kid.

Not quite sure what Mata and Mkhi have to do with Lukaku as they're completely different players...