No rest for in-form Lukaku, says Mourinho
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Romelu Lukaku has been warned by Jose Mourinho to forget about enjoying a rest from Manchester United’s campaign, at least until Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made a full return to match fitness.
The Belgian international striker has been an inspiration for both club and country so far this season, scoring 14 goals in 11 games for United and Belgium.
But a lack of cover at Old Trafford means that the modern phenomenon of squad rotation will not apply to Lukaku as far as Mourinho is concerned.
“Look, in here, without Zlatan we cannot rotate the striker, especially because Marcus Rashford is playing also in other positions,” said Mourinho.
“So until the moment we have complete matches this week. named to the Zlatan we cannot thinkthat.aboutgivingaNotthatMourinhowishedto rest to our number nine, the same way be seen to be issuing Martinez Aside from the visit to Swansea in we give in other positions. with instructions. “It’s Roberto’s the next round of the League Cup, the
“We cannot do that. Belgium is responsibility,” said Mourinho. only prospect of a break for Lukaku, Roberto’s (Martinez the national “I cannot, professionally speaking, therefore, will come when Ibrahimovic head coach) responsibility and it’s his say do this or do that, you know. It’s returns to action. Mourinho has decision to play him or not to play Roberto’s responsibility.” stubbornly refused to discuss the him.” ‘FIGHTING FOR HIS Swedish veteran’s rehabilitation from
Lukaku is scheduled to join EVOLUTION’ knee ligament surgery although even Martinez’s national squad this Should Lukaku play in both the most optimistic estimates put his weekend for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers, as well as United’s weekend potential return date in December. qualifiers with Bosnia-Herzegovina meeting with Crystal Palace, it will In the meantime, Mourinho has and Cyprus. mean he will have played 14 top-level praised Lukaku for his professionalism
However, Lukaku’s goals in the games within the opening two months and his development over the years last round of games at the start of of the season — a hefty workload in with Chelsea (Mourinho loaned him September saw Belgium become the the modern game, especially for an out to Everton in 2013 when he came first European nation to qualify for attacking player. back as manager for a second spell and next summer’s World Cup Finals The only game Lukaku has not then sanctioned his sale a year later), in Russia and Mourinho is clearly started for United was the League Cup West Brom, Everton and, now, United. hopeful he may not be required to play tie with Burton, although he was even substitutes’ bench for