MAN UNITED STRIKER Romelu Lukaku has been unfairly criticised for his performances this season, Belgium boss Roberto Martinez says.
The 25-year-old has only managed six goals in all competitions in 2018-19 and was not always guaranteed a regular starting spot during former manager Jose Mourinho’s final few weeks in charge.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw a 5-1 thrashing of Cardiff City on Saturday in his first match as caretaker boss, but Lukaku was absent after missing training in the build-up to the trip to Wales.
Despite his struggles at club level, Lukaku is a key part of Martinez’s Belgium side, scoring 14 goals in as many games in 2018.
And the former Everton boss thinks the scrutiny on the striker’s scoring record for United is often unfairly used against him.
“There is a negative way of assessing Romelu’s performance for Manchester United,” he told The Sunday Times.
When Rom scores, everyone expects him to score, and when he doesn’t, he is almost directly the reason United haven’t won.
“But Rom is ready for that challenge. He will never hide away. He understands what is expected of him.
“For Belgium, he has shown he’s one of the best number nines in the world and I don’t understand why he’s being treated in a manner which he doesn’t deserve.”
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If Ashley the dope gave Benitez 100million he’d have them challenging for the 6-7 easy. It’s horrible seeing a club like Newcastle in the position they’re in and if it wasn’t for Benitez they could be in league one with Sunderland.
@Hardly Normal: It would take a lot more than 100 million, and a lot better than Benitez to have Newcastle 6/7th.
@CrabaRev: ok I’ll totally change my mind based on your insightful comment.
@CrabaRev: Where does all the Sky money go?
Its all Freddy Shepard’s fault for selling the club to that Muppet in the first place. I mean they were a bigger name than Man City yet look who they got to buy them
Great fans…..every home game a sell-out
I think Micheal Owen is still their record signing and that was back 13/14 years ago for around 15 million. Championship clubs are spending more than that.
I’m surprised Rafa stayed on this year. He’s lucky there are poor teams like Huddersfield, Fulham and Cardiff who will save Newcastle from the drop.