Romelu Lukaku’s drought without scoring for Manchester United continues after his goalless substitute appearance against Young Boys on Tuesday night.The under-fire Belgian striker was dropped from the starting line-up by Jose Mourinho following his poor performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.Lukaku, who joined the Red Devils in a £75 million move from Everton in July 2017 and is currently earning a cool £250,000 a week at Old Trafford, hasn’t scored for United since September 15.His last goal in front of United’s home supporters, meanwhile, was way back in March.In 16 games this season, Lukaku has managed to score just four goals. An average of one goal every four matches simply isn’t acceptable for a player wearing the number nine shirt at a club the size of Man Utd.Before the Young Boys match, Paul Scholes - speaking live on BT Sport - tore Lukaku’s footballing ability apart and urged him to stop dropping deep because the powerful striker ‘can’t play’.Scholes believes Lukaku is at his worst when he tries to link up the play and should concentrate on making runs in behind and getting on the end of crosses instead.And two minutes after Lukaku came off the bench against Young Boys, Scholes’s point couldn’t have looked more accurate.
Much has been made of Lukaku’s poor first touch. He produced a genuine contender for worst first touch of the season against Palace over the weekend (watch that video HERE).And he was at it again on Tuesday, pulling off a touch so bad it’s gone viral on social media.Check it out here…
He did the hard part outmuscling the Young Boys player. All he needed to do was dribble the ball down the touchline, but he somehow preceded to trip over the ball, much to the frustration of the crowd.
The unfortunate clip sums up Lukaku this season: all muscle and no technique.
His confidence looks shot to pieces.
In fairness to the 25-year-old, though, he did provide the touch which led directly to Marouane Fellaini’s controversial late winner.
Lukaku’s flick-on found his compatriot, who scored the goal that sent United through to the Champions League knockout stages.
Lukaku will now be under even more pressure to score when United take on Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday evening.