MANCHESTER UNITED v EVERTON NATURAL-BORN Jags: We must sort THRILLER it all out
Ruud: Lukaku can be United scoring great
PHIL JAGIELKA says Everton will have to wise up fast if they are to avoid another defeat today.
Captain Jagielka and his shell-shocked Blues are on the ropes after successive domestic losses to Tottenham and Chelsea.
The 3-0 Europa League drubbing by Atalanta in midweek completed a hat-trick of heavy defeats.
Everton’s demoralised defenders now face former team-mate Romelu Lukaku today, with the £75million hitman on a red-hot run of six goals in his last four games for club and country.
Jagielka admitted: “It’s not ideal, facing him at this time. But if we play as we have lately, it won’t take a high standard of player to out-perform us – let alone Romelu.
“We must get ourselves together quickly.
“We’ve had a debrief about Atalanta, but, regardless of that, even if we’d have won 3-0, it would still be a tough game for us at United. And given the state of play of these last couple of games, we’ve just made it a bit more difficult.”
Jagielka (above) gave a brutal assessment of their debacle at Atalanta, saying: “I don’t know what word to use, ‘disappointed’ or ‘embarrassed’.
“We knew it was going to be difficult, but we were absolutely played off the park in the first half.
“We have to provide a reaction at United, but, first, we need to look at ourselves in the mirror and then pull our finger out.”
Speaking about the Everton fans’ reaction in Italy, Jagielka said: “I can understand why the fans turned on the team yes, massively.
“They weren’t doing it because they don’t like the players out there – it was just sheer frustration.
“Where we were in Italy wasn’t the easiest to get to. It’s expensive, so I can understand their feelings.
“So, now it’s up to us to make sure the passion and performance is there.”
The Reds legend is still revered by United fans for his phenomenal goalscoring feats after being signed in 2001 by Sir Alex Ferguson.
A staggering 150 goals in 219 games confirmed his standing as one of the club’s top marksmen.
And now, Van Nistelrooy says Lukaku can also hit the goalscoring heights, after brushing off the pressures that inevitably come as a new striker at United.
Six goals in his first six games following a £ 75million summer move from Everton says it all.
Pressure
And before the Belgium star, 24, faces his former club at Old Trafford this afternoon, Van Nistelrooy said: “Lukaku has made a good start at dealing with the pressure as a striker at United.
“There is always a price ticket around your neck, especially in the early matches.
“If you don’t score, people say, ‘Hey, he’s not scoring’. But Romelu is scoring goals and I’m certain that will continue.
“Like me, I think he is a pure No.9, playing through the middle. You wouldn’t put me on the wing. The same with him. I was the same type of player, making runs behind, dangerous in the box and holding the ball up.
“He has made a real difference to United. He has scored goals from the off and has the right boss, in Jose Mourinho, to guide him.
“There will be difficult phases to come. But Mourinho has been there and done it and will know how to guide him through any rough patches.”
Van Nistelrooy, who recently returned to United to play in a charity game for the Reds’ legends side (right), still follows his old club avidly.
The former Holland star is currently working with youngsters at his first club PSV Eindhoven, and added: “It was great to see United win trophies last season.
“This time around, with the squad they have, I think they are capable of competing in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Quality
“They definitely have the squad. It’s also important that they have width and quality in the side. “They look rock- solid, have creativity and goals up front. And soon they will also have Zlatan Ibrahimovic back. It will be great to have his quality and experience.” Lukaku, though, is the United man in the spotlight with his electrifying start to life in a Reds shirt. Last season at Everton, he hit 26 goals in 39 games. And Van Nistelrooy added: “There is no reason why he can’t score evene more for United.
“He is a player more t han capable of breaking records, including mine.” The Dutchman, 41, also has high hopes for t eenager Marcus Rashford, who has made huge strides since Van Nistelrooy first clapped eyes on h him.
He said: “I first saw Rashford in a UEFA Youth League game against PSV two years ago and he was a talent even then.
“But it’s amazing how he has developed. I didn’t really imagine then that he would have broken into the first team around six months later.
“That says something about his ability to learn. That’s a good characteristic to have.”
It also helps having top players as a support crew – something Van Nistelrooy had at United.
He said: “I played with some great players – Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and David Beckham.
“With all those players behind me, I just had to make a run and the ball was there.”