Does anyone still see potential for Lukaku?

[Canagel]

I also find word "potential" funny. the guy is 26 and already has 400+ appearances in the pocket. It's foolish to expect some drastic change in his football.

 

[Jibbs]

I want to see him fulfill his potential at inter or anywhere, just can't wait for him to leave United.

 

[iluvoursolskjær]

If he lost that excess bulk, and ran/worked/moved as much as he did when he first joined - yes.

If not, well his technical abilities ain't changing for shit. Is what he is.

 

[JPRouve]

I think this massively overrates the odds of replacing Pogba with a midfielder who isn't far worse. Despite his issues, someone like Pogba is still far better than a lot of expensive, competent midfielders. Swapping Pogba for someone at the level of Kovacic or Keita last summer, both of whom I think are good players and moved to rivals of ours and would have been applauded as signings, and we'd have finished what, 8th?

There are no odds in that post and you don't replace Pogba with one player but several which is the point. For example Pogba+Lingard is inferior to Keita+Sancho while Pogba alone is evaluated at a fee superior to both.

 

[tony54]

As others have said I think he has been unlucky for being with us with such mediocre players around him. Like other recent buys he will most likely do better, with better, harder working team players around.
He needs to go now so he can be the player he can be.
I also think he is not a typical dynamic mu forward and doesnt suit our style play or indeed any other top teams style. No one can afford to have an individual who does not follow or contribute much with the tide of play. I.e A 'goal hanger'

 

[King_Cantona07]

Yes big potential like a mobility scooter on a freeway.

 

[Devil81]

Not for me, fair enough he will score you goals if you put it on a plate but his all round game isn't good enough for a top team competing for major trophies.

He's a level below what's needed in my opinion, problem we've got is we seriously overpaid and will try to recoup a fee which I doubt anyone would pay.

 

[RedTillI'mDead]

I also find word "potential" funny. the guy is 26 and already has 400+ appearances in the pocket. It's foolish to expect some drastic change in his football.

Potential can be as much about what we do as a club, as what he does. A proper right/ left winger a midfielder who can play nice through balls and suddenly you could be getting the best out Lukaku.

Also, he out on a load of bulk, which hasn't worked. He might lose some of that, but maintain strength and become more lean. This could enhance him from what he has become before.

Salah was a late bloomer, so it does happen where a player pushes on in the right conditions.

 

[JPRouve]

Potential can be as much about what we do as a club, as what he does. A proper right/ left winger a midfielder who can play nice through balls and suddenly you could be getting the best out Lukaku.

Also, he out on a load of bulk, which hasn't worked. He might lose some of that, but maintain strength and become more lean. This could enhance him from what he has become before.

Salah was a late bloomer, so it does happen where a player pushes on in the right conditions.

I wouldn't call that potential because that's what he had a Everton, you are basically describing Deulofeu which is probably a fair point, Lukaku would scored 18-20 goals if he had Deulofeu on the right. The only issue being that this combination wouldn't serve United or any team with CL ambition, the issue with someone like Lukaku is that what he needs to be at his best takes away from the team as a whole, it would only be worth it if he was a +40 goals player otherwise there is no way to get the 60-70 goals that you want from your forward group.

 

[Enigma_87]

Based on some of the top scorers in Seria A I'd say he will fit right in there and most likely lead the charts. He is still a good striker and would be a good buy for Conte.

 

[RedTillI'mDead]

I wouldn't call that potential because that's what he had a Everton, you are basically describing Deulofeu which is probably a fair point, Lukaku would scored 18-20 goals if he had Deulofeu on the right. The only issue being that this combination wouldn't serve United or any team with CL ambition, the issue with someone like Lukaku is that what he needs to be at his best takes away from the team as a whole, it would only be worth it if he was a +40 goals player otherwise there is no way to get the 60-70 goals that you want from your forward group.

You might be right, as football has moved on, but United got the mix bang on in 99 with a pacey winger in Giggs who could cut in and shoot or lay on beautiful crosses either low or high, Beckham got more of his goals centrally or from dead balls, but could lay on a perfect cross.

Cole and Yorke maybe had better touches than Lukaku, but Lukaku could be at least as lethal, if not more.

Martial/ Rashford should be able to provide what Giggs did, so we just need a proper right winger who can cross primarily and cut in occasionally. Sancho in this regard would be ground breaking to what Lukaku could do.

In that regard I'd be tempted to say if we don't get the price we want for Lukaku go all out for Sancho because then you'll also get more value out of Lukaku so evens up an otherwise over priced deal.

 

[JPRouve]

You might be right, as football has moved on, but United got the mix bang on in 99 with a pacey winger in Giggs who could cut in and shoot or lay on beautiful crosses either low or high, Beckham got more of his goals centrally or from dead balls, but could lay on a perfect cross.

Cole and Yorke maybe had better touches than Lukaku, but Lukaku could be at least as lethal, if not more.

Martial/ Rashford should be able to provide what Giggs did, so we just need a proper right winger who can cross primarily and cut in occasionally. Sancho in this regard would be ground breaking to what Lukaku could do.

In that regard I'd be tempted to say if we don't get the price we want for Lukaku go all out for Sancho because then you'll also get more value out of Lukaku so evens up an otherwise over priced deal.

There are two issues with using 99 as a reference, our entire team is inferior to the 99 team and you are using a period of time where a team needed to be in the 70 points range to win the PL. Nowadays you are at best 3rd or 4th and you are a win/draw away from Europa League football. And it's worth remembering that Lukaku's average league goals per season in the last 5/6 years isn't all that impressive, historically he is basically in the 16/17 goals range which isn't bad but isn't actually impressive, every season you have a midtable player or two that matches it, no one at the top build attacks around this type of goalscorer because they are effectively at the top of mid range strikers. I'm pretty sure that the people with hopes think that 25 goals is his level but it looks like an anomaly more than anything else particularly when you consider the 7 goals in two games.

As harsh as it will sound, I believe that Lukaku is the equivalent of 2005-2010 Bent/Keane, an objectively good premier league player that shouldn't be a first choice for a top team.

 

[Cassidy]

There are two issues with using 99 as a reference, our entire team is inferior to the 99 team and you are using a period of time where a team needed to be in the 70 points range to win the PL. Nowadays you are at best 3rd or 4th and you are a win/draw away from Europa League football. And it's worth remembering that Lukaku's average league goals per season in the last 5/6 years isn't all that impressive, historically he is basically in the 16/17 goals range which isn't bad but isn't actually impressive, every season you have a midtable player or two that matches it, no one at the top build attacks around this type of goalscorer because they are effectively at the top of mid range strikers. I'm pretty sure that the people with hopes think that 25 goals is his level but it looks like an anomaly more than anything else particularly when you consider the 7 goals in two games.

As harsh as it will sound, I believe that Lukaku is the equivalent of 2005-2010 Bent/Keane, an objectively good premier league player that shouldn't be a first choice for a top team.

Pretty much this

 

[Enigma_87]

As harsh as it will sound, I believe that Lukaku is the equivalent of 2005-2010 Bent/Keane, an objectively good premier league player that shouldn't be a first choice for a top team.

IMO Mario Gomez or Luca Toni are better examples. He can be useful for a top team and can score loads given appropriate circumstances.

However if he isn't getting service and expect to lead a line in a top team on his own, naturally he would look clueless.

 

[JPRouve]

IMO Mario Gomez or Luca Toni are better examples. He can be useful for a top team and can score loads given appropriate circumstances.

However if he isn't getting service and expect to lead a line in a top team on his own, naturally he would look clueless.

I wanted PL examples in terms of goalscoring abilities but I actually compared him to Gomez when we were linked with him. And he can be useful but you need to strike a balance between his usefulness and his cost with his value on the market being part of costs, I subjectively consider that if you can sell him for 50m while you can replace him for 40m then the difference is in a certain way a cost of 10m because it's basically 10m that you throw away. And I know that some will say that it's still a loss compared to his initial fee but that money is spent and losing 25m is better than losing 35m.

The only complicated question to answer is to find a player that can get you 15 league goals per season, is a good tactical fit and costs at the most between 30m-40m because you will find someone that will take Lukaku for 50m. At least that would be my goal as a United executive.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

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[SirAF]

Put him in a decent side and he’ll score.

 

[Jason@3108]

he is our best and most reliable striker, he can definitely be the main striker in a title winning side imo

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

he is our best and most reliable striker, he can definitely be the main striker in a title winning side imo

I doubt he will ever be part of a title winning team (unless as a squad player). He’s nowhere near good enough.

 

[Zlatattack]

I doubt he will ever be part of a title winning team (unless as a squad player). He’s nowhere near good enough.

Yep. Very streaky with his goal scoring and useless when he's not scoring.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

I do. I rate him a lot. I love his finishing to. Reckon he could do a lot in a proper team.

 

[AJ10]

he is our best and most reliable striker, he can definitely be the main striker in a title winning side imo

Will never happen unless he improves by crazy amount because at united he's done what he did for West Brom/ Everton, Scored vs decent/poor teams in patches then hardly anything vs good teams, Simply hasn't improved on that pattern or his overall play.

Even his good record for Belgium is against mostly decent/poor teams bar 3/4 teams.

 

[Kostov]

He will score goals if provided service, against any opposition. He should stay this summer unless we can bring a better striker.

 

[broccoli]

Yes, while he's not the type of player i like he can still be deadly if used right. He seems less motivated now that Mourinho's gone though.

 

[hobbers]

Some people are so quick and eager to delude themselves...

He's a perfect example of a flat track bully. Appalling fitness, no hold up play, no press, no runs in behind, and even as a 6 yard box player he has wildly long spells of goal droughts where he fluffs countless easy chances.

He has no chance of ever being in a title winning side. Successful teams have strikers who do far, far more than just poach against shit sides. Look at Firminho and Aguero's all round games. Why should we as a club deliberately limit ourselves?

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

He will score goals if provided service, against any opposition. He should stay this summer unless we can bring a better striker.

1 goal in 21 appearances against the other top 6 sides at Utd. That’s pathetic. Granted, we’ve not been the best team, but still finished 2nd last year. He’s the absolute definition of a flat track bully, he’s not the player we need or want.

Sure he will score goals if we lay it on a plate for him (even then he needs multiple chances), but that’s the case for most strikers. A £90m striker should be able to create chances for himself, and also keep himself in shape. What £75-90m actually got us was a busted flush, a guy who likes Greggs more than scoring goals, anplayer who is gassed after 15 mins, a man who is completely demotivated and can’t score against any half decent side (PSG the exception that proves the rule).

He’s pathetic.

 

[Sylar]

Reckon he has more goals for us if we had people who could cross

 

[Kostov]

1 goal in 21 appearances against the other top 6 sides at Utd. That’s pathetic. Granted, we’ve not been the best team, but still finished 2nd last year. He’s the absolute definition of a flat track bully, he’s not the player we need or want.

Sure he will score goals if we lay it on a plate for him (even then he needs multiple chances), but that’s the case for most strikers. A £90m striker should be able to create chances for himself, and also keep himself in shape. What £75-90m actually got us was a busted flush, a guy who likes Greggs more than scoring goals, anplayer who is gassed after 15 mins, a man who is completely demotivated and can’t score against any half decent side (PSG the exception that proves the rule).

He’s pathetic.

That post is laughable but expected from you based on your dislike or whatever it is with Lukaku. I'm not willing to discuss Lukaku with you, no offense.

 

[clarkydaz]

He will score goals if provided service, against any opposition. He should stay this summer unless we can bring a better striker.

didn't at Everton and didn't here

 

[izec]

Lukaku properly used will rack up goals, mostly against average sides, but still. Selling him without upgrading on him would be ridiculous. If he loses some weight and is motivated, he will be good for 20+ goals per season. He is not top class, but still a good striker to have. His first touch obviously keeps him limited.

 

[luke511]

He'll never be the main striker in a title winning side. Because.. 1. He isn't technically good enough. 2. He's too inconsistent. 3. It's relatively easy for a top side to defend against him.

 

[Kostov]

didn't at Everton and didn't here

113 goals and 35 assists in the PL at the age 26 speak otherwise.

 

[Shark]

Yes, while he's not the type of player i like he can still be deadly if used right. He seems less motivated now that Mourinho's gone though.

He was a fat mess under Mourinho near the end. Hardly amazing in his first season under him.

 

[clarkydaz]

113 goals and 35 assists in the PL at the age 26 speak otherwise.

you said against any opposition, he disappears against good defenders/teams

 

[Im red2]

Not fit enough not fast enough and a horrible first touch, United need better. Could he be the Real Madrid or Barcelona main striking threat? Not a chance in hell.

 

[Kostov]

you said against any opposition, he disappears against good defenders/teams

I said he will not that he did score. He does not disappear against good teams. It's natural that any player will have a more difficult game against higher quality opposition.

We as a team disappear against good teams regularly, hardly anything in particular with Lukaku. Go and take a look at the chances created stats by our players compared to players from the teams above us. Our main problem is creating, Lukaku will score a decent amount if provided decent service, that is my point.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Put him in a decent side and he’ll score.

Not if he plays against top opposition like Japan, Brazil & France.

 

[VP89]

I'm giving him a pass for last season from the fitness preperation error and the general shite general squad performance not helping him either.

If he comes back immobile again il lose faith in him though. Can't afford to do that twice.

As a player he's certainly more than capable. Too much is said about his first touch, its a bit of an over exaggerated shortcoming.

 

[Eyepopper]

I was delighted when we signed him, and I think he can be a very good player in the right system, I'm just not sure we'll ever play that system.

His hold up play is terrible, and his first touch, Christ, its fecking woeful, and that's being kind.

Personally, I'd like to see him given another year, I think he suffered a bit of a world cup hangover last year both in terms of needing a rest, and the fact that he decided he needed to be the hulk to give his all for Belgium.

 

[Green_Red]

The difference is the positions he gets in for Belgium. When do we ever see him in those positions for us? The two goals last night are perfect examples.