Lukaku is untouchable says Reds boss Jose

JOSE Mourinho has labelled United striker Romelu Lukaku ‘untouchable’ ahead of tonight’s Champions League tie with Benfica.

A number of Reds supporters booed Mourinho’s decision to substitute Marcus Rashford for Anthony Martial during Saturday’s win over Tottenham, but had warmly applauded and serenaded Martial as he limbered up.

The decision to keep Lukaku on was vindicated when the Belgian assisted Martial’s 80th-minute winner, however Mourinho criticised United fans for a supposed lack of support for Lukaku and felt their reaction was ‘unfair’.

Nobody has started more matches for United this season than Lukaku and Mourinho has staunchly defended the 24-year-old.

“Fans are free to express themselves the way they want to express,” he said.

“But my job is to protect my players and I think Romelu is one of the players that should be untouchable in terms of the respect from everyone.

“It’s not one goal or one ball that hit the post or one that can make Romelu’s contribution below the top level, he’s playing extremely well for us and I have to protect my players when I feel they deserve it and Romelu always deserves it because what he does for the team is fantastic.

“I don’t think he was quiet (against Spurs) at all, ask Alderweireld and Vertonghen and Dier if he was quiet and they are some of the best centre defenders in football.”