‘Amazing’ Lukaku won’t lose focus, says Mourinho
moscow — Jose Mourinho backed Romelu Lukaku to ignore the hype about his superb start at Manchester United after the Belgian’s brace set up a 4-1 victory over CSKA Moscow.
Lukaku, 24, scored twice at the VEB Arena on Wednesday to take his tally to 10 goals in his first nine United games and send Mourinho’s men three points clear at the top of Champions League Group A.
To date Lukaku has shown no sign of being burdened by his $100.5 million price tag, but Mourinho said the former Everton striker was braced for the inevitable counter-currents ahead.
“Amazing numbers for Romelu. He’s humble, he wants to learn all the time, he wants to improve all the time,” the United manager told reporters.
“I think ambition is there and I don’t think he’s going to be very impressed with your great words because he knows that when things are not going well, your words are also strong in a negative way.
“I trust that he can keep performing for us.” Victory was secure inside 27 minutes for United, who were 3-0 up before their hosts had time to gather their senses.
Paired together at the sharp end of a novel 3-4-1-2 formation, Lukaku and Anthony Martial clicked instantly, the Frenchman crossing for Lukaku to head in United’s opener in the fourth minute.
After scoring a penalty in the 18th minute, Martial laid on Lukaku’s third goal and Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a fourth just (Paris SG) (Man Utd) shy of the hour before Konstantin Kuchaev purloined an anecdotal consolation.
Mourinho’s only gripe was that United now face a quick turnaround before Saturday afternoon’s visit of bottom club Crystal Palace in the Premier League. —