Romelu Lukaku was dropped by Jose Mourinho for Manchester United’s Champions League clash at home to Young Boys on Tuesday evening following another goalless performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday.The Belgian striker, who produced a contender for worst first touch of the season against the Eagles, hasn’t scored for the Red Devils since the away win over Watford on September 15.Lukaku has now gone over 14 hours of football without hitting the back of the net, while his last goal at Old Trafford came back in March.These worrying statistics simply aren’t good enough from a player who cost United £75 million - and it didn’t come as a shock to see his name among the substitutes for Tuesday’s match against the Swiss champions.Marcus Rashford led the line in Lukaku’s place and spurned a couple of good opportunities in the first half, much to Mourinho’s frustration.Prior to kick-off, though, United legend Paul Scholes did not hold back when discussing Lukaku’s footballing ability.In comments that even stunned United supporters, Scholes said that Lukaku must stop dropping deep because, in the former England midfielder’s words, he “can’t play”.“Since he’s come to Man Utd, it seems like he thinks he has to be a footballer, he has to come into a number 10 role - he doesn’t, that’s the last thing he needs to do,” Scholes said live on BT Sport.
“He’s not got the ability to do that, his strengths are running in behind, getting on the end of crosses and them midfield players have to tell him to do that [and say] ‘don’t come here, don’t come as a number 10 - you can’t play.“I don’t want to be disrespectful to him; his control isn’t great. He’s someone who has to run in behind and he can finish. He can score goals.”Wow. Even by Scholes’s standards, his straight-talking comments about United’s number nine came across as pretty savage.Watch the video here…Here’s how Man Utd fans reacted to Scholes burying Lukaku live on air…
In fairness, it’s hard to disagree with Scholes’s assessment.
Lukaku’s technique - especially his first touch - is one of the poorest aspects of his game.
Although Scholes’s comments may seem harsh, Lukaku could benefit if he listens to the Old Trafford hero and takes his advice onboard.