UNITED Rom finds centre ground at Palace
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer believes Romelu Lukaku’s goalscoring at Crystal Palace was simply down to playing as the number nine again.
The United striker had not scored in nine games but was moved to the centre forward role at Selhurst Park, where Marcus Rashford was only fit enough to make the bench due to an ankle injury.
Lukaku wasted a presentable eighthminute chance from a Luke Shaw corner but finished coolly to give United the lead on 33 minutes and added a second in the 52nd minute.
The Belgian now has 11 goals for the campaign and is highly unlikely to get close to the 27 United goals he registered in his first season with the club.
Solskjaer has often used Lukaku from the wing and felt it was not a coincidence he tallied a brace at Palace back in the striker’s position.
“You hit the nail on the head,” Solskjaer said. “He was through the middle today. We created chances for him, he put them away.
“He’s done loads of running up and down the line, right wing, left wing, because he’s had a different role because of Rashy’s form. Today, he got a chance up front and could have got another one as well.
“Very pleased for Rom. He’s a quality finisher. He’s a professional boy, a good boy, great to have in and around the place. He’s always happy, always working on his finishing and he’s played more than you think, but he’s played wide right, wide left, it’s Rashy’s form that’s moved him out there.
“And now with Rashy’s injury he grabbed the chance.”
Ashley Young settled the contest with an 83rd-minute strike as he captained United again in the absence of Antonio Valencia.
Young, 33, signed a new one-year deal earlier this month to keep him at United next season and Solskjaer joked the multi-functional Young – who started the Palace game at right-back before he moved to right-wing – might be in line for a new role.
“Ash is a top, top professional,” Solskjaer beamed. “Good captain for us and he can play. I think only centre-back is where he’s not played, so I might have to play him there to fill every role. He’s a good professional and a great player.”