Red Rom stays positive after backroom shuffle

ROMELU Lukaku admits it is ‘going to take time to be where we are going to be’ because of the behind-thescenes reshuffle at United.

Jose Mourinho’s long-serving assistant, Rui Faria, left the club in May and the Reds boss decided against appointing a direct replacement. Instead, he brought three new coaches into his inner circle – Michael Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Stefano Rapetti.

Given how United only signed three new players in the summer, that has proved as significant a change behind the scenes.

The new coaching team has proved popular with the players – Chris Smalling previously told M.E.N. Sport they were ‘great guys to have about’ – and they have begun to make an impact when it comes to new warm-up routines, attacking set plays and glimpses of a quick passing game.

It has taken time, though, for that to translate into results. However, encouraging second-half performances against Newcastle and Chelsea suggest United have turned a corner.

Lukaku said: “The mood is really positive. Obviously, we were disappointed with the way the game ended against Chelsea but, like I said at the start of the season, a lot of stuff has changed behind the scenes.

“It’s going to take time to be where we are going to be, but I think the last two games were proof we can play, press forward, and have the players to make difference.”