Romelu Lukaku

[Tubey]

one thing is clear, despite the desperation of english pundits, rom is far far better than rashford

Rashford has played much more football at a higher level than Lukaku by the same age and made much more of an impact in big games.

I don't think Rashford will ever be a better goalscorer than Lukaku (not many are) but he's almost certainly going to end up being a better footballer. He arguably already is.

 

[Walken]

Rashford has played much more football at a higher level than Lukaku by the same age and made much more of an impact in big games.

I don't think Rashford will ever be a better goalscorer than Lukaku (not many are) but he's almost certainly going to end up being a better footballer. He arguably already is.

He most definitely isn't, Lukaku's absence was painfully obvious, rashford couldn't fill it, if rom played as appallingly as rashford yesterday the pundits would be all over him

 

[Tubey]

He most definitely isn't, Lukaku's absence was painfully obvious, rashford couldn't fill it, if rom played as appallingly as rashford yesterday the pundits would be all over him

But that's the thing - with Lukaku out, United's reliance on a system that plays one way around one player to make him work was exposed. Even Mourinho admitted as such - they quite literally had no Plan B because if Lukaku isn't there or doesn't turn up, United are blunted. He even said that in the event of having Lukaku out, they at least need Fellaini because they have to have one focal point to play to; their whole game revolves around that concept.

Whereas if their system was built around a fluid attacking unit, like Liverpool, City, Barcelona etc. etc. then you cope with one element being out because you play a varied way.

That's why I don't rate Lukaku as a footballer, because he requires others to make him better rather than contributing to make others better around him. It's a team game, especially at the elite level, and that's why Lukaku is now at a B-tier 'top' side not winning anything, instead of at the elite club that his goalscoring record would suggest he should be at on paper.

 

[Walken]

But that's the thing - with Lukaku out, United's reliance on a system that plays one way around one player to make him work was exposed. Even Mourinho admitted as such - they quite literally had no Plan B because if Lukaku isn't there or doesn't turn up, United are blunted. He even said that in the event of having Lukaku out, they at least need Fellaini because they have to have one focal point to play to; their whole game revolves around that concept.

Whereas if their system was built around a fluid attacking unit, like Liverpool, City, Barcelona etc. etc. then you cope with one element being out because you play a varied way.

That's why I don't rate Lukaku as a footballer, because he requires others to make him better rather than contributing to make others better around him. It's a team game, especially at the elite level, and that's why Lukaku is now at a B-tier 'top' side not winning anything, instead of at the elite club that his goalscoring record would suggest he should be at on paper.

I see the opposite, every team he plays for are better when he plays, tat reliance comes from his quality and importance, not a deliberate system built solely around him, that's why rashford looked a pale shadow of a proper striker.

The idea that signing for man utd under mourinho makes you a B tier signing is of course stretching it at best, I also take umbrage at this idea that he plays like some form of modern day micheal owen, by his size and athleticism he contributes when he doesn't score, he's a presence, he didn't score against liverpool, but he was without doubt the most important player on the pitch

 

[Tubey]

I see the opposite, every team he plays for are better when he plays, tat reliance comes from his quality and importance, not a deliberate system built solely around him, that's why rashford looked a pale shadow of a proper striker.

The idea that signing for man utd under mourinho makes you a B tier signing is of course stretching it at best, I also take umbrage at this idea that he plays like some form of modern day micheal owen, by his size and athleticism he contributes when he doesn't score, he's a presence, he didn't score against liverpool, but he was without doubt the most important player on the pitch

Honestly don't understand that view - virtually every game against good opposition he plays in he's a non-entity, and that's been the case his entire career; the step up in level to United has just exacerbated that.

It's not his lack of goals against good opposition that's the problem for me either - although that's an indicator of just how easy to defend and nullify Lukaku it is for a half decent defence - it's the fact he's utterly anonymous at best or, against City for example, a complete liability.

There's a ceiling on how a club can play with a striker like Lukaku - there isn't when you have actual top strikers who are more than just about flat track bullying 20+ goals a season.

 

[Walken]

Honestly don't understand that view - virtually every game against good opposition he plays in he's a non-entity, and that's been the case his entire career; the step up in level to United has just exacerbated that.

It's not his lack of goals against good opposition that's the problem for me either - although that's an indicator of just how easy to defend and nullify Lukaku it is for a half decent defence - it's the fact he's utterly anonymous at best or, against City for example, a complete liability.

There's a ceiling on how a club can play with a striker like Lukaku - there isn't when you have actual top strikers who are more than just about flat track bullying 20+ goals a season.

We shall see, but I doubt rashford will be leading the line at 'A tier club', which was the original argument! This season I've seen Rom have at worst effective games against spurs, city, rs and arsenal, against the rs at old trafford he was superb, and yesterday 'a big game' the lack of rom was very very evident

 

[Tubey]

We shall see, but I doubt rashford will be leading the line at 'A tier club', which was the original argument! This season I've seen Rom have at worst effective games against spurs, city, rs and arsenal, against the rs at old trafford he was superb, and yesterday 'a big game' the lack of rom was very very evident

I don't think Rashford will ever lead the line for an A tier club either; I think he has more of a chance at being part of one than Lukaku has though.

I think that's where you and I fundamentally differ - you have the belief that you need one player to spearhead an attack. I believe you need at least three in modern football, like Messi/Neymar/Suarez or Salah/Firmino/Mane etc. And I don't believe Lukaku has the ability, technically or mentally, to be part of such a unit at the top level.

 

[Walken]

I don't think Rashford will ever lead the line for an A tier club either; I think he has more of a chance at being part of one than Lukaku has though.

I think that's where you and I fundamentally differ - you have the belief that you need one player to spearhead an attack. I believe you need at least three in modern football, like Messi/Neymar/Suarez or Salah/Firmino/Mane etc. And I don't believe Lukaku has the ability, technically or mentally, to be part of such a unit at the top level.

That's not strictly my belief, but I do rate lukaku highly as a striker

 

[Harryflashman]

We shall see, but I doubt rashford will be leading the line at 'A tier club', which was the original argument! This season I've seen Rom have at worst effective games against spurs, city, rs and arsenal, against the rs at old trafford he was superb, and yesterday 'a big game' the lack of rom was very very evident

I agree completely he does a great job , he’s not up there with the best but he does what’s required of him . I don’t think Rashford will lead the line simply because he isn’t that type of player , as part of a front three like at the RS or city then I can potentially see that .

 

[Harryflashman]

Funny enough Radio 5 Just discussing lukaku , martial and rashford and their styles

 

[degsy]

I don't think Rashford will ever lead the line for an A tier club either; I think he has more of a chance at being part of one than Lukaku has though.

I think that's where you and I fundamentally differ - you have the belief that you need one player to spearhead an attack. I believe you need at least three in modern football, like Messi/Neymar/Suarez or Salah/Firmino/Mane etc. And I don't believe Lukaku has the ability, technically or mentally, to be part of such a unit at the top level.

On a scale of 1 to 10...10 being total agreemnt I'm a 7
If it ain't all about him he doesn't want to know

 

[4737carlin]

Imagine not wanting to play in the FA cup final

He really is pathetic, saving himself for the World Cup so he can get his face seen globally.

 

[Seathestars]

He really is pathetic, saving himself for the World Cup so he can get his face seen globally.

To be honest I don’t know what injury he was recovering from but I know I’d have took an injection.
The thing that made it seem trivial to me was Mourinhos statement, he seemed gobsmacked that Rom wouldn’t play so it couldn’t have been too bad.

 

[Prevenger17]

He most definitely isn't, Lukaku's absence was painfully obvious, rashford couldn't fill it, if rom played as appallingly as rashford yesterday the pundits would be all over him

United looked far more dangerous with Rashford on the pitch yesterday imo.

 

[Prevenger17]

Poor mentality, a true winner would have wanted to play in an FA Cup final