Romelu Lukaku did not have the greatest showing today against Tottenham Hotspur, but he’s had an excellent start to the season overall. The big Belgian, acquired this summer from Everton for £75 million, has performed at an elite level against lesser competition, as he’s racked up 11 goals in 16 games across all competitions this season.
That’s an impressive number in its own right, but it’s made all the more eye-catching when you realize that only one player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, achieved double figure scoring in league play for United last season.
Ibrahimovic scored 17 goals in league play last season, and 28 across all competitions. He suffered a knee ligament tear against Anderlecht in the Europa League quarterfinals last season, but has been pegged for a return to the side this December. When he does return, he has designs on winning a league title, and publicly made those assertions this week.
He believes that Lukaku will help ease the burdens of expectations being placed on him.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Ibrahimovic said: “The team is stronger this season. Lukaku is in the team scoring a lot of goals, and he is making the job easier for me, because last year when we were playing we could not change that role.”
“We had one scoring the goals, and doing that job, and there was no variations for the coach.
“This season it is easier. Lukaku is only positive, because he makes my comeback less pressured, it gives me a lot of time, and I’m happy for that.”
United boss Jose Mourinho is certainly a manager with a very defensive style, but with Lukaku and Ibrahimovic both fit at the same time, he could really have a high flying attack.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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