Romelu Lukaku claims he was scapegoated with two other players at Manchester United

[12OunceEpilogue]

I'm hoping we can all move on from Lukaku very soon. The fact of the matter is he came in for big money and last year did the vast majority of his talking off the pitch. He missed games because he was out of condition, when he did play he was often found wanting and all along he was chirping in the media about this and that. He didn't play like an elite forward, he didn't even play like a good PL forward. All told he was more of a liability than an asset and yet he wants to know why many took a dim view of him last year?

He really is thick.

Oct 2018, he was asked about the CL group and then about Serie A.


In April, his agent.


Lukaku in June


And he expects Manutd to shoot down any rumors about him leaving, when him and his agent couldn't shut up their mouth about leaving from last 1 year.

Aye, the fact we failed to reinvest the money aside I'm glad he's gone and that we recouped our money for him, feelings I wouldn't have believed I'd entertain two years ago.

 

[M Bison]

4d chess

Never seen this before, unbelievable

 

[AceUnited]

Lukaku should watch a video of himself playing.

I have seen brick walls with better first touches and Turtles with higher vertical leaps.

"So is it me?"

 

[Mike Smalling]

What a cry-baby.

 

[Raw]

Looking at the Lukaku's chance I noticed how amazing Ibra's control was. Wish he never got injured and stayed here for another season. Top player.

He was brilliant but that's Rooney, not Ibra! Ibra had been injured from the season before.

 

[bondsname]

I don't hate the guy, he obviously has a very fragile ego. He needs to be taken cared of, assured that he is the greatest and needed, the coach has to take a mother-like role and nurture him if it's going to work for him and you can't expect that treatment at United.

You have to take a responsibility for your performance, you have to man up and handle the pressure. I think Rom underestimated the demands that has to be met to be a United player and overestimated his own ability. It may have worked fine at Everton where he was their MVP, but United is a different ball park.

Not to sound extremely rude and harsh, but considering the active racism in Serie A I think he can struggle there a bit too, it might take a toll o him.

Considering everything, I'm sad things worked out the way it did. I was extremely excited for Redrom and scoring 2 goals in his debut was class. His first season had me believe we had a top striker sorted out for half a decade, shame it ended the way it did.

I wish him all the best in the future.

 

[roonster09]

He was brilliant but that's Rooney, not Ibra! Ibra had been injured from the season before.

Rooney left as part of Lukaku transfer. That was Zlatan, if we are talking about the third clip. Zlatan came on as a sub in that game.

 

[Moiraine]

Oh Feck off.

Worst first touch any United Striker ever had and a disgrace to the red shirt alongwith many others.

I hope Ole is ruthless and we get rid some of the others as well in next transfer window (of the likes of Lingard, Perrera, Matic, Mata, Rojo, Jones, Sanchez and Bailly).

 

[Raw]

Rooney left as part of Lukaku transfer. That was Zlatan, if we are talking about the third clip. Zlatan came on as a sub in that game.

Oh shit, you're right. I forgot that Ibra took the #10 and I forgot about Rooney leaving too.

Man, Ibra was a proper United #9. We created the amount of chances we did in 16/17 because of him. Could do with him right now teaching the young lads, but at least they've got Ole for that!

 

[kouroux]

4d chess

Trying to do with his right what he cannot probably do on his left

 

[Woodzy]

Third highest paid player wonders why himself and the two other highest paid players are being criticized the most for being shit at football.

 

[Kostov]

He definitely got way more slack than the likes of Lingard for example. Someone needs to ask Gary Neville about our teenage number 10 and what he thinks about his output.

 

[Schneckerl]

What a thin-skinned baby. Should do the talking on the pitch.

 

[crossy1686]

Hang on.

He didn't feel protected towards the end because of rumours of 'Rom is going here, Rom is going there'?

He was the one talking to the press about moving to Italy! Absolute fecking whopper.

 

[ArjenIsM3]

Hang on.

He didn't feel protected towards the end because of rumours of 'Rom is going here, Rom is going there'?

He was the one talking to the press about moving to Italy! Absolute fecking whopper.

Yep. He's been talking about his love for the serie A for years. He acted like an utter cnut in his last few weeks here. And even if his story is true, he's saying he didn't hear from the club for weeks. Well did you think about being a little more proactive and asking the club what's up yourself ye lazy bastard? He's pulling a real Jose here, bigging himself up first by saying how fantastic he's been for the national team and then shifting the blame for his crap onto the club. Disgusting.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

He always feels too big for his boots. At Everton I thought it was reasonable as he was scoring goals and probably felt like he should be playing at a top 4 club but he keeps talking a big game even when he can't match it with his performances.

 

[Zelex]

Criticism.....It comes with the territory when you are a Man Utd player. I can empathize with how his feeling. He has made some reasonable points also. Don't feel any anger towards him. Wish him the best of luck in the future. Glad that both parties have moved on (hopefully for the better).

 

[steve.crowford]

on the Lukaku situation, my grandmother would say: "Be quiet, you will be a smart one..."

In his own words, Romelu only causes more hype and pressure on himself.
Having changed the club, and not even getting into the start line-up because of the overweight, he has already said that he couldn't make it to MU just because he wasn't loved there - well, not from the big mind such words.

Well, first of all, show yourself in the Inter, prove in practice that you were offended there, and you are a cool pro, and then tell us. Because Conte likes him, of course, but Romela's flexibility and speed do not increase with the years, but the problem with weight will now be constantly.

 

[Bestietom]

he was too often left on the field when he was really bad, and Martial was the one taken off, under Mourinho.

 

[Revaulx]

He reminds me of Alan Brazil, salty about his time and didn't like the criticisms and expectations.

Good point, but Brazil was more like Hargreaves: a crock. The club was grossly negligent in allowing either of them to pass their medicals. Their bitter whingeing was annoying but sort of understandable. Lukaku has no such defence; he was signed at his prime and his physical issues (bulking up to such excess) were his own choice. The club’s only culpability was not forcing him to reverse it, but presumably Jose like him that way.

 

[Sereques]

Is he aware his agent came out at the beginning of April claiming Lukaku will like to play in Italy?

 

[Leg-End]

Good riddance.

 

[roonster09]

Is he aware his agent came out at the beginning of April claiming Lukaku will like to play in Italy?

He was asked last year (October) if he could see himself in serie a, his reply was "why not, hopefully it happens".

 

[Red Star One]

It’s a shame we get to see this bitter goodbye. Remember how so many Caf members loved Lukaku when he just arrived - not only for this potential to bring goals but also for his attitude, how many times he was praised for coming across as a smart, level-headed guy. I only wish he showed a bit more respect now, understanding that his failure here was a mix of high expectations, his limits and also the fact United now is not the easiest place to succeed - you really need to show your best and give 110% every game. Wishing him best luck regardless and hope he doesn’t fire any more shots in the press.

 

[GDaly95]

I can't stand him at this stage. Easily in the same category as Di Maria.

Was beside myself with excitement when we signed both of them as well. Feck sake.

 

[Matt6677]

"OK we all know that international soccer is different than club football but the playing style we play in the national team is the one we want to play at Man United"

Who is we? And why should we model our playing style after Belgium? Why shouldn't we play the Manchester United way?

 

[Ban]

What a tool. Scapegoat? Based on what? If anything fans put up too much with his terrible technical play and 1st touch. Not to mention his agent flirting with other clubs. He wants an easy way out, good riddance.

 

[United Junkie]

Never cared for him. Never even wanted him because I knew he was not what United needed. About Pogba receiving much abuse is true and I condemn that. But Pogba is world class and Lukaku isn't.

 

[Jim Beam]

I mean....he is kind of right

I would probably argue Lukaku was one of our more consistent, better players during his time at the club. Certainly no worse than the likes of Rashford, Martial, Lingard, Mata etc....even though those players all get criticism on here, they were rarely singled out for criticism by pundits or the media

That doesn't mean I am sorry he has gone at all. However, I do think there was a definite snobbery against a player who undeniably has been very effective at club and international level

Whether he is right or wrong it's debatable. We got our money back, he moved, all happy as far as am concerned.
I don't even feel much or any ill towards him and don't care how he will play for Inter. Can score 40 as far as am concerned and it still won't change the fact about his link-up play or first touch when he was here. Or lack of goals in the biggest games.

But, the fact he talks about some unjustified critics, when at the time he had a guaranteed place in starting 11 no matter what he called his teammates to deal with a criticism like a grown man and then pulls this kind of statements is both hilarious and ironic. He was our leading striker and one of the biggest transfers paid in the club history on a highly lucrative contract. Not sure what he expected. Other players you mentioned were either our youth products or in a rotation which wasn't the case with him. You will always have question marks after a transfer fee of that magnitude. Maguire, for example, will be certainly highlighted by the media if he starts making mistakes. It is just the way it goes.

He should shut up and move on considering everything.

 

[United Junkie]

I can't stand him at this stage. Easily in the same category as Di Maria.

Was beside myself with excitement when we signed both of them as well. Feck sake.

Di Maria is the worst. Lukaku is not some sneaky little rat like Angel. At least he put in some work.

 

[devilish]

These guys are heavily criticised though. Lingard especially.

@roonster09 as well

They are still at the club, some on long term contracts that they have just signed.

I don't want to sound as if I am defending Lukaku. In my opinion he's one of those 'specialised' strikers who can only play in one way (the PC way to say limited). I never liked seeing clubs spending huge amount of money on these sort of players. Sure some were quite successful in football (ex Gattuso or Inzaghi), however they do force clubs to work a certain, which honestly I don't like

That's on talent alone. Lukaku has been disgraceful throughout the entire summer. First of all you don't come back to training massively overweight. We're talking here about footballers who are earning millions here to take care of themselves. Secondly leaking sensitive information to make yourself good is a big big no no as well. So lets be clear here, LUKAKU HAD TO GO.

However my point is not about Lukaku but more in general. When top clubs reward washed up or average players with new contracts then standards end up slipping. Thus there's always this blame game that player X shouldn't be the one who should be shown the door since player Y, Z and K had been performing far worse. The club has committed this mistake by handling Rojo, Jones and now Mata long term contracts. By doing so they also undermined the manager who promised a survival of the fittest only to end up with basically the same squad.

 

[strongwalker]

Expectations were higher than what he realistically could be expected from him. Hardly his fault alone.

 

[roonster09]

@roonster09 as well

They are still at the club, some on long term contracts that they have just signed.

I don't want to sound as if I am defending Lukaku. In my opinion he's one of those 'specialised' strikers who can only play in one way (the PC way to say limited). I never liked seeing clubs spending huge amount of money on these sort of players. Sure some were quite successful in football (ex Gattuso or Inzaghi), however they do force clubs to work a certain, which honestly I don't like

That's on talent alone. Lukaku has been disgraceful throughout the entire summer. First of all you don't come back to training massively overweight. We're talking here about footballers who are earning millions here to take care of themselves. Secondly leaking sensitive information to make yourself good is a big big no no as well. So lets be clear here, LUKAKU HAD TO GO.

However my point is not about Lukaku but more in general. When top clubs reward washed up or average players with new contracts then standards end up slipping. Thus there's always this blame game that player X shouldn't be the one who should be shown the door since player Y, Z and K had been performing far worse. The club has committed this mistake by handling Rojo, Jones and now Mata long term contracts. By doing so they also undermined the manager who promised a survival of the fittest only to end up with basically the same squad.

You keep repeating the same posts whenever we sell any player or rumored to offload any player. We can only offload players who are wanted, obviously we made mistakes. We can't keep player who isn't adding much value, on top of that don't want to be at the club.

 

[GDaly95]

Di Maria is the worst. Lukaku is not some sneaky little rat like Angel. At least he put in some work.

Put in enough work to gain a shitload of weight and then somehow fail to shed it over the course of an entire season, or over the summer that followed.

Only difference between them for me is probably the bottle-mockery Di Maria dished out at OT which was annoying is feck, and I'm pretty sure Lukaku celebrated in front of Di Maria's face when Rashford's pen went in so I'll always give him some credit for that.

 

[Smores]

I really don't get the voracious nature of criticism against him. He's no where near the level of Sanchez and alright he wasn't good enough in the end but he isn't close to being a terrible player like some claim. More or less 1 in 2 for us overall.

There's much worse players still in our squad.

 

[United Junkie]

Expectations were higher than what he realistically could be expected from him. Hardly his fault alone.

Agreed. We offered him mad cash and he accepted. It's not his fault some idiots at the club bought him. I cant dislike the guy for being too shite for United.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Trying to do with his right what he cannot probably do on his left

Tad harsh.

He scored good goals against Palace and Southampton with his right.

Not what we needed but the criticism of him is going way over the top.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

What were the club supposed to protect him from? Its that bit I don't follow.

 

[devilish]

You keep repeating the same posts whenever we sell any player or rumored to offload any player. We can only offload players who are wanted, obviously we made mistakes. We can't keep player who isn't adding much value, on top of that don't want to be at the club.

This problem is a nuisance in many club but we take it waaaaay to the next level. The reason for that is incompetence.

a- we overpay (salary and fees) which means that it makes it very difficult to get rid of a player when the time is up.
b- our club seem unable to successfully negotiate 3-4 concurrent deals at one go. Which explains why we ended up with just 3 players this summer (one of which aka James was pretty straightforward) and another 3 players the year before (one of which was pretty straighforward aka Grant). Which means that the club has no choice but to stick to the players it already has. That's bad news for the club as deadwood's value will keep on nosediving the more that players in question stay at the club

In reality most of our problems lead to the same thing ie incompetence at board/negotiating level.

 

[roonster09]

This problem is a nuisance in many club but we take it waaaaay to the next level. The reason for that is incompetence.

a- we overpay (salary and fees) which means that it makes it very difficult to get rid of a player when the time is up.
b- our club seem unable to successfully negotiate 3-4 concurrent deals at one go. Which explains why we ended up with just 3 players this summer (one of which aka James was pretty straightforward) and another 3 players the year before (one of which was pretty straighforward aka Grant). Which means that the club has no choice but to stick to the players it already has. That's bad news for the club as deadwood's value will keep on nosediving the more that players in question stay at the club

In reality most of our problems lead to the same thing ie incompetence at board/negotiating level.

Yeah, this has already been discussed (and mostly agreed) many times. Not sure why it should be discussed whenever some player is sold.

Lukaku was bad fit for the team, he wanted to leave, we got good offer and he was sold. It was right thing to do. Just because we made mistakes, like extending Mata's contract or giving Jones new contract doesn't mean we have to pass this opportunity to offload player who didn't want to be here.