Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has once again heaped praise on out of form striker Romelu Lukaku, saying that he does not care for the Belgian’s lack of goals as his work rate is fantastic.
The Belgium international has scored just once in his last 10 games for the Red Devils, but with results going United’s way for the most part and Lukaku’s performances on the whole being ok, Mourinho insists he is happy with his striker.
United saw off newly promoted Brighton on Saturday thanks to a deflected Ashley Young strike giving them a 1-0 win. But Lukaku’s threat in front of goal was certainly very numb, as it has been in recent weeks.
However, Mourinho has insisted he is impressed with the 24-year-old, and that goals are not important if the work rate is there.
“In the last minute he was fighting and running back like he was in the first minute, so I think it is also a mentality question,” Mourinho said of Lukaku.
“The way Romelu wins the corner for the goal, the way Romelu ends the game making tackles in the left-back position – that is the mentality I want.
“Unfortunately, not every player is the same. Players are men, men are different. Men are unique cases.
“Some guys are capable to go into the limits of their efforts and some other guys even with a lot of talent, they don’t manage to do that.
“So Romelu, for me, [is] fantastic. Didn’t score, I don’t care.”
Mourinho was also full of praise for United’s supporters, who had to be patient before Young’s goal.
“Honestly, it is quite a surprise for me but I think the supporters were fantastic,” Mourinho added.
“We had matches at home where we played really, really well and they were a bit soft.
“They were behind the team. The team was not playing well, the team was 0-0, they support the team, they support the players.
“Then in the last part of the game, at home at Old Trafford we had problems against Brighton, a newly promoted team, and the supporters were behind the team.
“They support the team, they support the players, so also really happy with them.”
[Quotes via Sky Sports]