To be fair not many players can score when the ball is behind them. I only can think of Mane doing it this season.
9
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 45
- Goals
- 15
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 5
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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I want to see Lukaku's "all touches" videos from the last three games.
Can someone help me with the links?
Can someone help me with the links?
We have got our Lukaku back.
That's more like it.
When he is in this form, all his touches are working so effectively that I don't care anymore if he can't do the fancy stuffs.
Basics in text book perfection equals to beast Lukaku.
More to come hopefully.
When he is in this form, all his touches are working so effectively that I don't care anymore if he can't do the fancy stuffs.
Basics in text book perfection equals to beast Lukaku.
More to come hopefully.
Interesting hearing his post match comments that he prefers to play up top with a partner. Also that Ole had asked him to be more dynamic.
That's great from Rom. He comes top class in interviews, a very sensible young man, obviously intelligent and honest lad.
Great game again, long may it continue.
Hero.
He was never going to be the target man Jose wanted. Now he can play his own game long may it continue.
Just the tip of the ice berg.
Fascinating comments of how Ole had set him his own personal work plan of 3-4 weeks to get fit and sharp, seems to have lost weight, the extra finishing training is paying off and he has been complimented on it. Ole was tough at the beginning but with a purpose, he could see he was not fit after the WC and made a big decision that is coming off in the crunch time of the season. Also seen comments from Ole that he wants him running on to the ball more, in the danger area, to be more dynamic and that he does better with a partner. See a lot of evidence of how Ole pays attention to what each player needs to be at their best. Great management.
I’ve criticised him a fair amount but FairPlay, Rom you get a pass from here for a long while
He was rightly criticized for those abysmal performances where he looked like an amateur footballer.
And was rightly praised for the last 3, what's issue with that?
He needs credit for the first touch on his first goal. His burst of pace to get in front of the defender and he's travelling when he takes that touch and it's perfect. I'll fully admit I scream at the TV 10 times a game when it just bounces off him, but that was good control.
An immense week for him, gaining form at the right stage of the season.
Well said. The goals are obviously great but if anything I'm more impressed with his vastly improved contribution overall. His hunger and mobility last night was superb (until towards the end when he was absolutely knackered) and a far cry from a few months back when he was like a big hologram. Our injury crisis has been awful but one of the main things that has helped us ride the storm is getting our big striker back from a position where he was worse than injured, taking a place in the squad when he was incapable of doing the basics.
He’s going to put Arsenal to the sword as well. Can’t wait.
Agree with all this. Just a big shame ole can't do anything about his first touch. I was nervous every time the ball was played to him in the centre of the park.
Lukaku is really well spoken isn't he? He comes across as quite thoughtful and intelligent in interviews. I'm happy for him, goes without saying that a fit and firing Lukaku is a huge asset for us and in the absence of a lot of important players he has stood up exactly like we needed. Has for me won us the Soton game singlehandedly, earnt us 2 points against palace and today won us the tie after his incredibly well taken goal when the match began to set the tone and the cat among the pigeons. Making a lot of people eat crow.
I have been very critical and skeptical of Lukaku and I still have my doubts about him as a starter based on his technical ability and hold-up play, but credit where it is due. His contribution in the last three matches has been phenomenal. He can take a huge part of the credit for us going through in the CL and if we get top 4, we will look back at his goals against Crystal Palace and Southampton as very critical.
Long may it continue. His last outing at the Emirates was quite good, so hopefully he can replicate that!
Long may it continue. His last outing at the Emirates was quite good, so hopefully he can replicate that!
One of them will still be on the bench either way.
I've criticised him for his limited technical ability, but fair play he's been banging them in of late. And he had a lot of good touches too. Long may that continue. Good that Ole has noticed that he's better playing with a partner up front, I said it every time he partnered with Martial especially, his game always improved
kneejerkers will be back in a couple of weeks
Really stepped up at a big moment in our season. Fair fecks to him. What a man.
He just doesn't do it in the big games though...
I don't think many of us saw this form coming. He's still got issues in that his touch is very inconsistent and his link up play is poor, but he is clearly a good finisher and his physicality gives defenders real problems.
He definitely needs to be played a certain way to make him effective. Really you don't want to involve him in the build-up at all. Just get him into shooting positions or get him 1v1 with a defender so he can power his way past. His strengths and weaknesses are very exaggerated compared to the well rounded forwards we're used to.
He definitely needs to be played a certain way to make him effective. Really you don't want to involve him in the build-up at all. Just get him into shooting positions or get him 1v1 with a defender so he can power his way past. His strengths and weaknesses are very exaggerated compared to the well rounded forwards we're used to.
Agree, still technically very poor with control and holding the ball up - but when on form, his power and pace scare the shit out of defences and his finishing is up there with the best. Working really well with Rashford.
Because you cannot judge footballers like that. What happens if he doesn't score, or play very well for the next three games? He gets slaughtered again?
Congratulate the guy, because he has shown great character... and WE, as fans, as well as the players, the club all are benefiting from it. I don't think there is a defender who wants to to see him on a team sheet at the moment.
Ole, and his team have been superb with him, and all the squad. Absolutely superb.
He got slaughtered because he was playing like crap and was either unable or unwilling to put the effort and fight in. The criticism has been proved right as he's playing like a real handful again. He wasn't playing like this from September-January, even ignoring the goals. Perversely, slimming down a little seems to have made him stronger against defenders, as his balance is better, and he's able to steady himself and get his shots away. He's playing again like the player I wanted to seriously consider for captain in the summer.
Carrying this club at the moment with one crucial goal after another. Great work the last weeks.
He's a goalscorer, it's what he does. He's looking leaner and fitter again. Put some respect on Red Rom!
Did you read the quotes? It wasn't just about his performances but his overall ability. The amount of vitriol aimed at the guy from his own fans has been disgraceful and it's only right they eat some humble pie now.
He's clearly gotten himself in shape and as good as his form has been it's really no surprise he's improved with the extra weight off. Absolutely baffling that our training/fitness staff didn't pick up on this sooner.
Yep. It's fair to call a spade a spade, under Mourinho he was getting worse and worse. He tried to turn him into a big heavy target man but that's just not what he's good at.
At Everton he was his best when he pulled to the right wing and dribbled at people, or ran in behind. He was clearly struggling with the extra weight, which makes you more tired and then makes your touch even worse. People who play will know when you're tired your touch goes out the window.
He showed in his first year what he's capable of, and he's getting back to that now. He seems a great guy so i'm super pleased for him, 2 goals out of sheer hard work.
The first one wasn't an easy finish either, he was at a really wide angle and fouled by Silva.
What a performance from Lukaku, as humble as he is he should know inside he was superb
Nor he or Rashford will be willing to sit on the bench next season, so most likely he will ask for a transfer ( we will not sell Rashford ).
But now the teams that will want him will be of a bigger caliber, maybe even the same PSG
But now the teams that will want him will be of a bigger caliber, maybe even the same PSG
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He's doing some great things but I think we should take him off (if the scoreline allows) and when he looks leggy. I think second half late on, his mobility wasn't the best. Did well for both goals. Thought he over touched it for the first one but thankfully he was able to slide it in. The second is a good tactic running in after a rashford shot because with the swerve and Lukaku bearing down on you goals will come and the second was a biggy. Great finish.
My favourite Lukaku last night was centre back Lukaku. When he didn't take the penalty and I couldn't see him up front, I thought he had been subbed off for a few minutes, before I realised that he was manning the barricades,
I think the bulking up idea came from advice he took from national team coaches? I think Mourinho was actually unhappy with it.
His overall ability manifested itself in his performance?
He should be judged critically when supposed to be our main striker, and when he did help us to make history like today, he will be rightly awarded with praises from everyone.
His touch and one-touch link-up last night was outstanding. I honestly don't really remember him being shrugged off the ball or it bouncing off him as we've seen in the past. He's carried us the last 2-3 weeks, been awesome.
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