LUK HE’S KNACKERED

Ever-present Rom’s shattered but Mourinho salutes his £75M striker

JOSE MOURINHO admits Romelu Lukaku is exhausted – but says he cannot afford to give the Manchester United striker a rest.

Lukaku has laboured in recent weeks, scoring just four goals in 19 games in all competitions, having played every minute of United’s 20 Premier League matches this season. United boss Mourinho conceded that has taken its toll on the £75million forward, but said Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not yet sharp enough to start, having just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off.

And with the Special One not fully trusting Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial to play through the middle, Lukaku (with Mourinho, right) is having to carry the burden of leading United’s front line.

“The boy is tired,” said the Reds boss. “Physically, he’s a monster but not a machine, and he’s feeling it.”

Asked if there was any way he could give the Belgium ace the rest he clearly needs, Mourinho was unequivocal and said: “No, I can’t.

“People don’t have to be grateful to Romelu. I have to be, not you, not the supporters, not the pundits. I have to be.

“The other day, I talked about him playing 19 matches in the Premier League. Now it’s 20 matches, all 90 minutes.

“I think for a striker, any player, he’s absolutely incredible. But, if you are a central defender, a holding midfield player, where you can control your energy and positional play, you can resist and survive.

“But for a striker to play 20 matches in the Premier League, 90 minutes every time, I have to be grateful.”

Lukaku was at fault for both goals in United’s 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City and was also culpable for Burnley’s opener in the 2-2 Boxing Day draw at Old Trafford.

“Is he unlucky in our box in recent matches?” said Mourinho. “He was in the picture. It was not a direct influence on just him, but he was in the picture for some of the last goals we conceded.

“But it’s a consequence of a player that really needs a little rest. But the guy is fantastic for me and for the team and gives absolutely everything.”

Mourinho started Lukaku and Ibrahimovic together for the first time on Boxing Day, but the selection gamble failed to come off.

The Swede was well off the pace and replaced at halftime, with Mourinho admitting it is likely to be some time before the pair start a game together again.

“It can happen,” he added. “But they both need to be in their best moment and they’re not.”

Zlatan and Rom can only start together if they are fit