Lukaku has found way to pull weight
ROMELU LUKAKU admitted he bulked up too much over the summer and was forced to slim down in a bid to rediscover his form.
Lukaku, who plundered his second goal in two starts in Manchester United’s first Premier League win for over a month, endured a 12-game goal drought for the Reds.
That ineffectiveness in front of goal was largely put down to his World Cup hangover, having played a key role in helping Belgium to third place.
But Lukaku has also revealed he returned for the new season at United carrying too much muscle and has had to get back into the right shape.
“I had to lose muscle,” said Lukaku. “So you stay out of the gym, drink a lot of water, eat a lot of veg and fish and it helps.
“Just training differently – more prevention in the gym, more speed bursts in training. That’s the most essential.
“At the World Cup I felt great and I played great, and then when I came back, it’s a different type of style.
“When you’re in the Premier League you cannot play with the same amount of muscle as in international football.
“Also I had a hamstring injury, which never happens to me. Now I’m at a decent level again and ready to go again.”
Lukaku bagged 27 goals last season, his debut campaign for United after a £75million move from Everton, but has struggled to replicate that form.
Dropped for the first time in late October, Lukaku revealed how a candid chat with Jose Mourinho helped him regain his focus and sharpness.
“He told me what he wanted from me,” said Lukaku. “I know from my side I have to do better, so I just keep looking forward and improving, trying to add into my game and help the team to win.”
Asked what Mourinho said he was lacking, Lukaku said: “Intensity. I played with not enough aggression.
“Today I played with intensity, like everybody else. Now it’s about improving and continuing on a consistent basis.”
It remains to be seen whether Paul Pogba can follow close friend Lukaku’s example and get back to his best after his enforced spell out of the team.
Mourinho confirmed £89m record signing Pogba will start Wednesday’s Champions League game in Valencia, effectively a dead rubber with United through to the last 16.
But that means Pogba is likely to be on the bench for a third straight league game on Sunday when Mourinho’s side travel to Liverpool.
Ashley Young set United on their way to victory against Fulham, with further strikes from Juan Mata and Lukaku giving them a 3-0 lead at half-time. Aboubakar Kamara pulled one back with a penalty after he was brought down by Ander Herrera, although replays suggested the United midfielder got the ball.
But Claudio Ranieri’s side were down to 10 men when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was dismissed for a second yellow card and Marcus Rashford completed the rout. The Cottagers, bottom of the table with a goal difference of minus 24, are the only Premier League side without a clean sheet this season.
Andre Schurrle says Fulham must tighten up if they are to have any chance of staying up and believes Ranieri can help with that defensive solidity. “Claudio knows the Premier League well and knows how to win games,” said Schurrle. “He knows how to play and that we have to be compact.
“We have to be solid, we have to defend with all 10 men sometimes. We’re still getting used to it as it’s a lot of tactics, a lot of defensive work. “We know we have some very decisive games in December. We need to have a fighting spirit.”
De Gea 6; Dalot 8, Jones 7, Smalling 7 (Rojo 58, 6), Young 7; Matic 6, Herrera 7, Lingard 7 (Fred 73, 6); Mata 8, Lukaku 7, Rashford 8 (McTominay 84). Dalot. Young 13, Mata 28, Lukaku 42, Rashford 82. Valencia (a), Wed CL.
MAN UTD (4-3-3): Booked: Goals:
NEXT UP: FULHAM (4-2-3-1):
Rico 5; Odoi 5, Mawson 5, Ream 5, Bryan 5; Seri 6, Anguissa 4; Schurrle 5 (Cisse 73, 5), Cairney 5 (Vietto 46, 6), R Sessegnon; Mitrovic 5 (Kamara 46, 6). Anguissa, Seri. Anguissa 68. Kamara 67 pen. West Ham
off: NEXT UP:
(h), Sat PL.
L Probert (Gloucestershire).
Referee: Booked: Sent Goal: