Since joining Jose Mourinho’s side in the summer, Romelu Lukaku has received his fair share of criticism. The Belgian would have expected nothing less, playing at a club with the magnitude of Manchester United.
Lukaku had two choices, dwell on it, or prove them wrong. Which is easier said than done, as a player he has been unfairly portrayed during his time in the Premier League. The common quote at the beginning of the season was that ‘he wasn’t good enough to play at the top of the food chain. A negative connotation surrounded the transfer before he even pulled on the famous red shirt.
We are currently over halfway through the season and now we can now reflect on the Number 9’s season so far. Having scored twenty-one goals, many in crucial games, the Old Trafford faithful have nothing but love for their goal machine. Manchester United’s triumph over rivals Chelsea on Sunday was another crunch match in the Red Devils season. The whole squad showed great determination, especially after going a goal down in the first half. However, there was a stand out performance, and who else would it be but the former Chelsea Striker. During the match, he put one past Belgian teammate Thibaut Courtois to make things level. In the second half, he didn’t score, but he did assist Jesse Lingered with the match winner.
All the focus was on the big man, he was finally receiving the critical acclamation he deserved. At the beginning of the season, there were a few rough patches, games were hit and miss for the Belgian. Some would go as far to say ‘a goal drought’ at stages. However, I can’t see this recurring again however, the Chelsea performance will be his defining moment this season.
United still have the ability to progress further in Europe if they beat Sevilla in a Champions League showdown. He’ll have the whole of the football world watching him, all the big man he has to do is get on the end of Sanchez’s crosses.
