Lukaku isn't the problem it's those around him, it's telling that he was actually performing better at Everton than he is for us
9
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 51
- Goals
- 27
- Assists
- 10
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Status
Tell me exactly what he has improved on? Is he a lot better than he was 4 years ago? Still the same strengths and weaknesses...
Like I said, each to their own. I've stopped comparing players as the conditions of playing for Liverpool and Spurs are completely different. Playing in a Utd shirt is much more than just ability. Also I don't get the on his own statement. There are many different types of players with different attributes, and Rom is about getting the ball into him which you'd have thought is perfect for him here, a team that's always been about getting crosses into the box. I think it's difficult to be rational against the backdrop of poor results, but for me he's not the problem.
Erm, no?
Yes, and so do most humans have the same strengths and weaknesses. How you measuring 'a lot'? My measure is 2 of the top 4 teams in the prem wanted him (two really good managers too). Not sure they'd have paid 80m for him 4 years ago?
What would then? Scoring and assists are overrated for a striker or would you prefer him having the best stats for controlling and holding the ball up and no goals?
At a club like Utd, you can’t play with 10 men. You need someone capable of doing more than just scoring. Leicester was actually a promising sign, because he was doing more of that.
How has he improved a lot since 4 years ago if you can't even tell me what he has improved on? Two of the top 4 teams wanted him? Well, technically we weren't top 4 last year. And Chelsea dodged a bullet by signing Morata over him, who has been better and has a lot more talent than Lukaku, as he is technically a lot better. Our transfer signing record recently has been subpar to say the least, so to use that as some sort of measure of "proven quality" is bizarre.
Your replies in this thread makes you come across as Lukaku's spin doctor. There seems to be a defence of any form of criticism of him no matter how constructive it is.
Lukaku has done good things this season, no one is saying he's been an absolute basket case but the truth is when compared to our rivals and our previous standards, he falls short.
He has several weaknesses which are so clear to see; big game bottler, poor first touch, inconsistent hold up play, cumbersome, unable to create for himself and his new found one of being unable to defend aerial balls in his own box. Granted he's a goal scorer and is just 24 so has scope for improvement but lets not deceive ourselves here, so far it doesn't look like the wisest spending of £75-90m.
In this day and age. That's legitimately not a good enough return for us.
It depends. Sometimes a smaller club is more likely to play to your needs. This is especially true for players suited to as direct style.
That's the thing. He's not suited to a direct style.
He's definitely not suited to defending a direct style
But it's an interesting point. I don't think I've ever seen a striker so big and effective at attacking headers being so utterly useless at holding the ball up. Oh how I miss strikers like RVN and RVP. Was watching an old United game the other day. RVN was such a brilliant centre forward.
Jesus
When he joined, his game was poor but he scored goals and there wasn’t this disquiet. He clearly had some stage fright despite his experience with Belgium. He’s developed into a hard working player that’s now much better at linking play and providing a presence in the opposition half... but the goals have dried up. I don’t remember the last simple chance created for him... always a case of having to outmuscle defender to head on goal... no one-on-ones or balls across box to tuck away and under those circumstances he’s doing brilliantly.
Not answered cause I think it's stupid to suggest he hasn't improved. I accept he's not everyone's cup of tea but opinions are generally divided with most players. The issue for is he's not the problem and more than Felliani or Pogba wasn't last year. The irony is this kind of negativity only comes from losing, and when we were smashing teams at the start of the season, you and others had feck all to say.
agree to a degree but he was anonymous yesterday - he might not have gotten a clear chance but he has to take some responsibility for that - the last fox in the box players we bought were Ruud and Chicharito and they tended to find or engineer the space a lot better
his touch is poor but his passing is decent
do we know how to get the best out of him?
I've defended him on the lack of service but, quite simply, when you spend elite player money you expect a player to be able to influence a game - there have been simply too many games where he's been a passenger and can't find a way into the game
As a main striker probably for years to come at a club of our stature? No. We have had enough strikers brought as the main men who have averaged better than that strike rate. And had better hold up play on top of that.
This guy needs to improve.
No just don't agree. Constructive, that's not my issue, it's the hypocrisy. The negativity only ever comes when we lose. You never read comments like this when we win. The rest you're entitled to your opinion as a fan but I'm sorry just don't agree as I was realistic about what he was and what he wasn't. He scores goals which is the hardest thing to do in football. There are better technical players that don't but I know there are some that prefer style over substance. I dont.
Which strikers?
I'm boring myself now by defending him but Ruud and Chicharito weren't perfect either. Also any coach will tell you, scoring goals is all about your first touch. He wouldn't be able to score so many without one.....I'm done defending him, I accept he's this years Felliani.
I don't really blame him for his current form. We have spent 75m on a player who is best running at defenders, working channels and hitting first/second time strikes, and we're asking him to play a hold up game with intricate passes around the edge of the opposition box. He will never adapt to this style of play and i dont think he should have to. I can't remember the last time anyone played a decent early through ball for him to run on to.
The problem is Jose made his mind about him not being a striker since day one. I can’t remember the last time he was played there under Jose if ever. At least Rashford was used there sometimes, and still looked better then he does on the wing.
Both have a higher ceiling then our +70MM striker, and were not aforded the same chance and patience from Jose as Lukaku does and will continue getting despite his horror show in most of our games lately, and sadly any improvements there to be reached is still not good enough for United from him.
Hope I’m proved wrong, but hard to see it any different.
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True, it is difficult when the opposing team drops so deep constantly. There were times yesterday though where people would just stop the play completely and let the defenders settle rather than play that early ball.
Football fans man, so illogical. At any other job you would be fired after a long patch of bad performance
Didn't realise I'd posted such a half-arsed reply!
I think a top striker has to be realistically threatening a goal a game. If that ends up as 1 goal in 2 games then fine, but he should be heavily involved throughout. He started well, but he's been dreadful at times since. I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that a striker scoring a goal in one game, then doing nothing (which isn't exaggerating much) the next isn't good enough. We've only got 11 players on the pitch, it's not possible to win and be successful without everyone pulling their weight all the time. It's just not.
I like Lukaku - I think we all saw at the start of the season what he can be like with confidence - but I think he's not been mentally tough enough these last few months. He looks like the world is on his shoulders every time he gets the ball. His whole body language has changed since the start of the season. He was loud, domineering, he even looked bigger! Now it's quite different. The team needs a confident Lukaku - he can't get down because the goals dry up and the fans get on his back a bit. Top players have to be better than that.
On the other hand, who knows.
Far to static, feels like we're trying to hit a lamp post at times with the crosses in the box.
Too early to write him off completely but the signs are there for all to see, I'm worried he hasn't got the technical ability to play for a top club.
Too early to write him off completely but the signs are there for all to see, I'm worried he hasn't got the technical ability to play for a top club.
He started well and was scoring for fun , but Leicester aside he has been poor for a few months. Not sure if he will ever be good enough.
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Professional footballer isn't like any other job either...
Unfortunately, Lukaku wasn't able to build on his previous excellent performance and reverted back to isolation, together with bad touches and movement.
I still don't understand why we don't play Rashford in his proper position as striker, maybe it will give us a different edge in certain games and also provide rest or even competition for Romelu.
I still don't understand why we don't play Rashford in his proper position as striker, maybe it will give us a different edge in certain games and also provide rest or even competition for Romelu.
No, it is not. Obviously not. Are you suggesting that people who criticize players who aren't good enough aren't real fans?
I'm not talking about a single post. I'm talking about Wilson clearly having a crush on Lukaku.
No.
I was a bit sceptical when United signed him, but he was scoring like a maniac at the start of the season so I though, meh shows what I know, but now that he's not scoring his other flaws are becoming a bit apparent. If he's givin proper service he'l start scoring again though. Still, not a world class striker for me.
I know, which is why criticizing him shouldn't mean fire him.
Strikers at top 6 clubs:
Morata - Technically strong, big game winner, above average if not world class.
Gabriel Jesus/Aguero - Jesus is technically sound again and links up well with his teammates. Like Morata, he is above average with room for development. While Aguero is well-known to be world class, though on the wane.
Lacazette- By far the weakest of the rival strikers, but again, he shows good understanding with Sanchez and Ozil.
Spurs - The Harry Kane Team.
Liverpool - Firmino is the second best striker in the league after Kane. Goal-scorer, prolific creator whose presence helps Salah and Mane or Coutinho as well. A truly elite striker who is often underrated, as he is very unique in elevating the levels of his teammates. In fact, I'd sooner have a striker like him playing for us than even Kane, Liverpool unearthed a gem in him and Salah.
Compare these to Lukaku and you will see the cause for concern.
Morata - Technically strong, big game winner, above average if not world class.
Gabriel Jesus/Aguero - Jesus is technically sound again and links up well with his teammates. Like Morata, he is above average with room for development. While Aguero is well-known to be world class, though on the wane.
Lacazette- By far the weakest of the rival strikers, but again, he shows good understanding with Sanchez and Ozil.
Spurs - The Harry Kane Team.
Liverpool - Firmino is the second best striker in the league after Kane. Goal-scorer, prolific creator whose presence helps Salah and Mane or Coutinho as well. A truly elite striker who is often underrated, as he is very unique in elevating the levels of his teammates. In fact, I'd sooner have a striker like him playing for us than even Kane, Liverpool unearthed a gem in him and Salah.
Compare these to Lukaku and you will see the cause for concern.
This is the thing, when I'm not well I go to my Doctor. Sometimes I dont like what he tells me but I trust that hes qualified to give it. I can google it and listen to someone else to come up with the solution but tbh, Id sooner trust my GP. Unless you are SAF behind that Keyboard, my opinion is more accurate cause its shared by Man utd's manager who knows more about Roms ability than anyone on this forum. Thats not to say hes always right but if your life depended on it, which one would I trust? One of the best managers in history or you behind your keyboard? Hmmmm.....
You see on Forums, its easier to be negative than positive. When we arent playing well everyone likes a scapegoat but when he scores for that moment the negativity is forgotten, but it wont take long for the vultures to start circling again....
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Jose needs to keep him away from defending set pieces. I don't understand the logic behind having him in our box, when surely it is more practical to keep him as an outlet for the quick counter. We have plenty of 'big' players to accommodate and take responsibility for the defensive work, and surely having Lukaku in there is overkill, and in some cases even a disadvantage as that is not where his strengths lie.
Defending is not his game.
I know Jose wants him to be his Drogba (who was excellent in a defensive sense as well), but Lukaku is a completely different type of player.
Also, contrary to some of the comments here, I think he's been one of our best attackers in the past couple of games, minus the goals (which is sadly what he's assessed on).
He will come good.
Defending is not his game.
I know Jose wants him to be his Drogba (who was excellent in a defensive sense as well), but Lukaku is a completely different type of player.
Also, contrary to some of the comments here, I think he's been one of our best attackers in the past couple of games, minus the goals (which is sadly what he's assessed on).
He will come good.
They can't create for him because no one knows his movements. It is terrible. He always seems to be on his heels when the pass comes.
You are surely taking the piss? Morata is an excellent striker, nowhere near world class. Firmino is surely a level below Kane, Aguero...
Firminho is a level under Aguero and Kane but his point is right. Lukaku isn't good enough for a team who wants to challenge for all the big trophys.
He’s a better cheerleader than he is a striker. Maybe he should spend some time on the side of the pitch constantly applauding passes while someone else plays as a striker.
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