Patrick Rees
Jose Mourinho has revealed that it was actually Manchester United’s financial stature, not the personal terms or contact, which allowed them to lure Romelu Lukaku to Old Trafford ahead of their Premier League rivals, Chelsea.
The Red Devils signed the Belgian on a five-year contract which, according to BBC, cost them an initial £75million. The source also adds that there is a £15m to be paid in add-ons as well. United reportedly were after Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata initially and even tried testing the Galacticos’ resolve by offering a couple of bids, but to no effect. Meanwhile, at the same time, Chelsea were vying to acquire Lukaku’s signature given the fact that Costa was no longer in Conte’s plans.
As soon as United realised Real’s hardball strategy, they wasted no time in striking a deal with Everton, while Chelsea had to settle with Alvaro Morata. Many quoted that the move was possible due to Lukaku’s friendship with Paul Pogba or due to his previous working status with Jose Mourinho, but the Portuguese, on his part, has denied all the claims and has revealed that it was Manchester United’s financial stature that allowed them to acquire Lukaku ahead of their Premier League nemesis.
Mourinho was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying,
“I don’t think it was my influence, no. I think that we paid the money that Everton asked for and we paid the player the wages that his agent asked for and we paid the agents the commission that they asked for. I don’t see another reason.”
The 24-year-old’s first competitive task, after impressing in United’s pre-season tour, was the UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid. Missing some absolute sitters, Manchester United lost the title to the Galacticos. Lukaku’s Premier League campaign, however, kicked-off in absolute style. Starting from scoring a brace against West Ham United, Lukaku scored against Swansea as well. His inability against a competitive team was highlighted when United welcomed Leicester at Old Trafford. The Devils did win the fixture, but Lukaku was utterly bullied by the physical attribution of Harry Maguire.
Starting from scoring a brace against West Ham United, Lukaku scored against Swansea as well. His inability against a competitive team was highlighted when United welcomed Leicester to Old Trafford. We did win the fixture, but Lukaku was utterly bullied by the physicality of Harry Maguire.
Even against Everton, Lukaku did not have an excellent game by any means, though he did grab a goal and an assist. However, the Belgian is scoring goals and that is all a striker needs to do, irrespective of how he gets it.
Let’s just hope he starts contributing more than just goals and assists.
