JOSE DEMANDS MORE RESPECT FOR LUKAKU
JOSE MOURINHO has told Manchester United fans that £75million striker Romelu Lukaku should be ‘untouchable’ from criticism and deserves more respect. Mourinho vowed to protect Lukaku after he interpreted supporters booing his decision to replace Marcus Rashford with Anthony Martial during Saturday’s win over Tottenham as a slight on the big Belgian. Lukaku helped to set up the winning goal for Martial, but he has not scored in five games after a blistering start to the season since signing from Everton. ‘For me, he’s untouchable in my team and I think he should be untouchable in the support and the respect he deserves from the fans,’ said Mourinho ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Benfica at Old Trafford. ‘Look, the fans are the fans and I also said that the fans pay for their tickets and are free to express themselves the way they want to. ‘But my job is to protect my players when I feel they deserve it. ‘And Romelu always deserves it because what he does for the team is fantastic.’ Lukaku scored 16 times in his first 13 appearances for club and country this season, but the goals have dried up this month. Mourinho defended the player after the Spurs game at the weekend and felt compelled yesterday to point out that he still makes an important contribution to the team. ‘Playing football for a striker isn’t just about scoring goals,’ added the United boss. ‘It’s not one goal or one ball that hits the post or one save by the opposition keeper that can make Romelu’s contribution below the top level. He is playing extremely well for us. ‘I think Romelu is one of the players that should be untouchable in terms of the respect of everyone.’ After winning their first three Group A games, United can clinch a place in the knockout stages tonight if they better CSKA Moscow’s result against Basle. Benfica, in contrast, have lost all their games and were beaten 1-0 by United in Lisbon a fortnight ago, but Mourinho still believes they pose a bigger threat than the other two clubs in the group. He added: ‘The players felt like it was quite easy to win against CSKA and Basel, but difficult to beat Benfica. The game could easily have been 0-0 or 1-1. Benfica were much better than those two teams tactically and collectively. ‘Our main aim is to finish first in the group. A draw is not bad, but Benfica will give us a difficult match.’