Lukaku says United boss has a soft side
LONDON: Romelu Lukaku has opened up on the real Jose Mourinho, launching a defence of his manager after the Manchester United boss came under criticism in recent weeks.
Mourinho's pre-season demeanour has been the subject of much conversation, following his public outbursts and spats with select players, most prominently Anthony Martial.
Lukaku however insists Mourinho has a different side which he uses with his players, which goes unseen by the media and general public.
The Belgium international has pointed to Mourinho's mentality as a natural born winner as the root of the abrasive character often seen by the masses.
“When you lose, you get angry. When he is upset, he’s the type of person that you can really see it,” Lukaku said in an interview with Business Insider.
“But that should be embraced because he is a manager and a coach that wants to win.
“If you can't deal with that, don’t ask him questions because he shouldn't hide his personality to give a good public image.'
Many people believed Lukaku may not have the best relationship with Mourinho, after the Portuguese afforded him few opportunities at previous club Chelsea, before sanctioning his sale to Everton after a series of loans.
Mourinho re-signed Lukaku last summer to make him United's second most expensive player ever, behind midfielder Paul Pogba.
But the bond between player and manager has always been strong, as Lukaku admits the pair are regularly in contact and joke around outside of working hours.
“It is nice to play for him. I get to see a total different image of him where he’s really cool,” Lukaku added.
“We make jokes. He sends me good advice, or funny videos, some stuff like that. So he’s really a family guy. That’s how I know him.”
Lukaku is soon due to report back to the United set-up after being granted extended holiday following Belgium's third-placed finish at the Russia World Cup.
Mourinho is likely to use his £75 million (RM397 million) man in the Premier League opener against Leicester next Friday despite his absence from the majority of pre-season.