Not replacing Lukaku

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Say what you want about the guy, but he's a natural goalscorer and was a proven goal getter in the PL. Not replacing him has left us with -

Martial - good in front of goal, but has played the majority of his career as a left winger
Rashford - erratic in front of goal, also has played the majority of his career as a left winger
Greenwood - 17 years old, potential is there but still looks very raw. Anything over 5 goals from him would be a bonus. Also seems to be a bit injury prone.

With Lukaku leaving it leaves us with three centre forward options, none of whom are proven prolific goalscorers. None have even ever been starting centre forwards in the league. Is anyone else starting to think not replacing him was a fecking stupid move by us?

 

[sullydnl]

Obviously not replacing him was a stupid move. Solskjaer himself said he would be replaced if he was sold so clearly this wasn't the plan.

 

[Beachryan]

Really don't think we'd be having these threads if Martial doesn't get injured a couple weeks in.

Can't really have it both ways: if you get a Lukaku level striker in at big money, Martial doesn't get games up front, which is where most agree he should be playing.

It's just unfortunate. In years gone by we always had 4 capable strikers, but those days are long gone, players don't want to sit on the bench for a club like this United.

 

[Kush]

Obviously not replacing him was a stupid move. Solskjaer himself said he would be replaced if he was sold so clearly this wasn't the plan.

So why was no deal put in place for a replacement striker?

And if we weren't able to convince anyone to come, then maybe don't sell him with 24 hours of window left.

 

[sullydnl]

So why was no deal put in place for a replacement striker?

And if we weren't able to convince anyone to come, then maybe don't sell him with 24 hours of window left.

Christ knows why but given our recent history of poor transfer windows it isn't surprising to see us fail to sign a player we knew we needed to sign.

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Obviously not replacing him was a stupid move. Solskjaer himself said he would be replaced if he was sold so clearly this wasn't the plan.

Wissam Ben Yedder was available for 25m this summer. He is an experienced striker, has a good goalscoring record, and would have been perfect for a game like today where Martial is injured and Rashford is out of form. Great price in this day and age.

People were turning their nose up at Mandzukic and Llorente too. Imagine them flicking the ball on for James on a day like today.

Not getting anyone was just negligence. Especially with Alexis, another potential #9 leaving as well.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Really don't think we'd be having these threads if Martial doesn't get injured a couple weeks in.

Can't really have it both ways: if you get a Lukaku level striker in at big money, Martial doesn't get games up front, which is where most agree he should be playing.

It's just unfortunate. In years gone by we always had 4 capable strikers, but those days are long gone, players don't want to sit on the bench for a club like this United.

Injuries are a part of the game though, which is why we have squads. Martial's injury is an argument for replacing Lukaku not an argument against it.

 

[Kush]

Christ knows why but given our recent history of poor transfer windows it isn't surprising to see us fail to sign a player we knew we needed to sign.

Our incompetence in the market doesn't surprise me but we were in-charge of the players we already had at our disposal. Lukaku was the only semi-reliable goalscorer in the squad, if the manager knew there isn't a striker incoming after selling Lukaku then why sell at all? Not only that, he followed it up by also letting another player leave who could've played through the middle.

The whole thing reeks of incompetence (from the board) and naivety (from the manager) thinking the young players could step up.

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Our incompetence in the market doesn't surprise me but we were in-charge of the players we already had at our disposal. Lukaku was the only semi-reliable goalscorer in the squad, if the manager knew there isn't a striker incoming after selling Lukaku then why sell at all? Not only that, he followed it up by also letting another player leave who could've played through the middle.

The whole thing reeks of incompetence (from the board) and naivety (from the manager) thinking the young players could step up.

Agreed. Martial gets injured early in the season, and now we have Welbeck 2.0 as our only senior centre forward.

 

[Adisa]

Wish Dybala would just have come.

 

[Stepney73]

20 years ago we had 4 strikers to chop and change when needed.

Now we have 2(1 is inconsistent and the other is half arsed)

 

[McGrathsipan]

Say what you want about the guy, but he's a natural goalscorer and was a proven goal getter in the PL. Not replacing him has left us with -

Martial - good in front of goal, but has played the majority of his career as a left winger
Rashford - erratic in front of goal, also has played the majority of his career as a left winger
Greenwood - 17 years old, potential is there but still looks very raw. Anything over 5 goals from him would be a bonus. Also seems to be a bit injury prone.

With Lukaku leaving it leaves us with three centre forward options, none of whom are proven prolific goalscorers. None have even ever been starting centre forwards in the league. Is anyone else starting to think not replacing him was a fecking stupid move by us?

Lukaku isnt any better than what you see here today. Not buying another forward was silly but Lukaku going was the right move

 

[Acquire Me]

Wish Dybala would just have come.

No doubt about that.

 

[adexkola]

Removing him from the squad was a net benefit, as we don't have to endure the numerous chances we generate, dying at his feet. I mean, look at how productive our forwards have been so far this season.

 

[sullydnl]

Injuries are a part of the game though, which is why we have squads. Martial's injury is an argument for replacing Lukaku not an argument against it.

Especially as it isn't exactly unusual for Martial to pick up injuries in particular.

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Lukaku isnt any better than what you see here today. Not buying another forward was silly but Lukaku going was the right move

Lukaku is not a better finisher than Rashford?

 

[luke511]

I think not getting a proper no.10 or a right winger is where we've fecked up more. Zero balance.

 

[Skills]

He was deadwood though, and responsible for us not creating any chances?

 

[red4ever 79]

Lukaku isnt any better than what you see here today. Not buying another forward was silly but Lukaku going was the right move

Lukaku was 10 times a better proven striker than Bacon Rashers

 

[Sandikan]

Who knew that leaving our whole attacking hopes in a very up and down sprinter, a fairly injury prone guy who has barely played up front in a year, and a 17 year old might not be the best plan.

Just who knew!?

 

[Sandikan]

Especially as it isn't exactly unusual for Martial to pick up injuries in particular.

Especially ones where he'll miss "One game" then isn't back 6 later.

 

[Yagami]

Removing him from the squad was a net benefit, as we don't have to endure the numerous chances we generate, dying at his feet. I mean, look at how productive our forwards have been so far this season.

I mean, I thought Martial was fantastic in the games he's played this season. Just a shame he's missed the last few.

 

[adexkola]

I mean, I thought Martial was fantastic in the games he's played this season. Just a shame he's missed the last few.

I agree. But without Martial we should still be able to sufficiently create chances.

 

[Stadjer]

I agree. But without Martial we should still be able to sufficiently create chances.

But our only midfielder who can create something is also out injured. Im fine with Lukaku not being replaced since Martial took his spot as CF and James basically replaced Martial on the left wing.

We need midfielders, Pogba is the only one who can create something and is Manchester United quality. Mata is too old, too weak, too slow. Matic is the same as Mata but maybe even worse. McT is okay i guess. Lingard and Pereira arent good enough and Fred wont really get a chance....

We need a create midfielder to play with Pogba and take Pogba his role as ''main creative outlet'' when Pogba isnt playing.

 

[Yagami]

Really don't think we'd be having these threads if Martial doesn't get injured a couple weeks in.

Can't really have it both ways: if you get a Lukaku level striker in at big money, Martial doesn't get games up front, which is where most agree he should be playing.

It's just unfortunate. In years gone by we always had 4 capable strikers, but those days are long gone, players don't want to sit on the bench for a club like this United.

As someone who wasn't a fan of Lukaku's, I said we'd regret not replacing him at the start of the season.

Replacing him doesn't necessarily mean bringing in another striker. The thing to do would've been replacing him with Martial and then bringing another forward who's shown he can contribute at a high level whether that's centrally or out wide.

Some say James and Greenwood are his and Alexis' replacements, which I get where they're coming from but they should've been added into the squad alongside a more proven forward.

I agree. But without Martial we should still be able to sufficiently create chances.

Yeah, we shouldn't have to rely on one player to be able to make a difference in the final third. Our tactics are a mess, but I don't think any of us are surprised to see this happening with him (& Pogba) out.

James has shown moments of class, too, but, like Rashford, we can't rely on him singlehandedly producing something out of nothing every game.

 

[Tragically Hip]

A football club in pretty rapid decline. There will be few fans growing up in their formative years when one attaches themselves to a team that will be fond of this boring and depressing brand. Lukaku couldn't hold up play it is true, but neither can many of our midfielders. Players like Eriksen and Dybala refusing to join this sinking ship. I don't even know if this is the right thread for this, but whatever. Please go down fighting in the second half.

 

[arthurka]

Clearly Ole thought he would get another striker but surprise surprise he didn't. Woody has sold all our managers short. There needs to be a coup d'état to overthrow this regime.

 

[Woodzy]

Oh dear.

 

[Scotty McT]

Bizarre decision and is currently coming back to bite is in the arse.

 

[afrocentricity]

Caftards still telling themselves selling Lukaku was the right move?

 

[Schmeichel's Cartwheel]

Caftards still telling themselves selling Lukaku was the right move?

Nah, we good. Lingard up front

 

[Amadaeus]

It was Ole decision. Look at Pochettino at Spurs. Eriksen, Rose, and Alderweild wanted to leave. Poch knew he couldn’t find a replacement that window for them and it would hurt their squad depth if they left without any proper replacement. Ole made an error assuming that we could easily afford Sanchez and Lukaku leaving on loan without it having an impact on our squad. They might not be performing well, but they are still good squad options to have. Very poor planning from Ole.

 

[paulscholes18]

31 goals in his last 86 games for the club, doesn’t sound like a natural goal scored to me

 

[Untd55]

31 goals in his last 86 games for the club, doesn’t sound like a natural goal scored to me

Try 113 in 252 compared to:

30 in 117 (Rashford)

and

36 in 116 (Martial)

Silly not to call Lukaku a natural goalscorer when he clearly is, particularly when you compare him to our remaining strikers.

Arguably, one of the most stupid transfer decisions in the history of football: selling Lukaku and bringing in no replacement.

 

[Big Ben Foster]

Caftards still telling themselves selling Lukaku was the right move?

I said during the summer we'd regret selling him without a replacement. Other posters seemed to think we'd be better off without his all-around play slowing us down, Greenwood and Rashford would quickly step up and replace him, etc.

 

[Fosu-Mens]

Caftards still telling themselves selling Lukaku was the right move?

Lukaku would not get anymore chances than the other attacking players we are playing. The issue is a general lack of quality on the ball (passing, technical ability) and understanding of the game (team full of one trick ponies) and a manager and coaching team that are unable to imprint a style of play into the team that does not rely on PP creating something, or a big mistake from the oppo.

Lukaku is a striker that needs service, and he would never have gotten that at United this season.

 

[ivaldo]

We needs to bring more players in, but this isn't any different to where we were last year, only as of right now, all three of our strikers are out injured. That could've happened last season. When will we learn.

 

[VeevaVee]

If we truly wanted Martial to be our striker we should've spent the Lukaku money on another winger and/or a 10.

 

[OohAahMartial]

Its just the same problem as after New Year last season: we start beasting the players in fitness training and that leads to a spate of muscle injuries. Too many players out now: Martial, now Rashford, Greenwood ill, Pogba, Shaw, Fred may as well have been with missing pre-season.

He gambled on any injury crisis happening later in the season when the kids were more ready, but they've gone down like flies from the off. A risky gamble that he's lost, presumably risking it with confidence he still has enough patience in the club to ride any bad periods out. Questionable that.

Think Martial and Pogba will be back soon, and that will steady the ship though.

 

[Skills]

Removing him from the squad was a net benefit, as we don't have to endure the numerous chances we generate, dying at his feet. I mean, look at how productive our forwards have been so far this season.

This