Prolific Lukaku ‘is still learning’
BELGIAN STRIKER’S BRACE SINKS RUSSIANS CSKA had no counter to Mourinho’s unusual formation.
Jose Mourinho backed Romelu Lukaku to ignore the hype about his superb start at Manchester United after the Belgian’s brace set up a 4-1 victory over CSKA Moscow.
Lukaku, 24, scored twice at the VEB Arena on Wednesday to take his tally to 10 goals in his first nine United games and send United three points clear at the top of Champions League Group A.
To date Lukaku has shown no sign of being burdened by his £75 million price tag, but Mourinho said the former Everton striker was braced for the inevitable counter-currents ahead.
“Amazing numbers for Romelu. He wants to learn all the time, he wants to improve all the time,” the United manager told reporters.
“The ambition is there and I don’t think he’s going to be very impressed with your great words because he knows that when things are not going well, your words are also strong in a negative way.”
Victory was secure inside 27 minutes for United, who were 3-0 up before their hosts had time to gather their senses.
Paired together at the sharp end of a novel 3-4-1-2 formation, Lukaku and Anthony Martial clicked instantly, the Frenchman crossing for Lukaku to head in the opener in the fourth minute.
After scoring a penalty in the 18th minute, Martial laid on Lukaku’s third and Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a fourth just shy of the hour before Konstantin Kuchaev hit CSKA’s consolation goal.
Mourinho’s United now face a quick turnaround before tomorrow afternoon’s visit of bottom club Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
“The team is solid, the team is playing well,” said Mourinho, whose team are level on points with league leaders Manchester City.
CSKA coach Viktor Goncharenko admitted United’s unfamiliar shape had caught him by surprise and expressed admiration for the speed with which Mourinho’s players rediscovered their shape after losing possession.
“When you have 70 percent of ball possession and after losing the ball you return so quickly to defence,” said the Belarusian.
“Manchester played in another scheme. Many things were different to what we observed. We were getting ready for one scheme and the opponent played in a completely different scheme.” – AFP