Looked like he needed a break, sensible (and brave) for Silva to rest him. I also think he dovetails very well with DCL who can do a lot of the "dirty work" for him. That's probably the single biggest thing we didn't do for Lukaku- get a lad in up top with him who could occupy defenders and let Lukaku do his thing best. He can do the job running the channels too but in lots of games it will really occupy him.
He has 9 goals half way through the season now. Only Salah, Aubemyang & Kane has more. Sterling has been compared to Messi this season and he's on the same as him. He has more than Aguero, Hazard, Mane & Martial who we are told are all having good seasons. He has 3 more than Anderson who some said was better on here).
We'd all have been delighted with him getting 10 league goals this season. At his age and for £35 million that would have been a brilliant return. Rashford (the same age) has seasons of 5, 5 & 7 league goals in an entire season. He can still get better with what you said above, but lets not lose sight of how well he has done now.