The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Romelu Lukaku

  • Lukaku to return early to help depleted Man United – Mourinho

    Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku has curtailed his vacation and will join Manchester United at the start of their Premier League campaign, manager Jose Mourinho has said.

    Mourinho called for the club’s World Cup participants to shorten their rest days after last month’s tournament to help United.

    The club have also been hindered by injuries, and hope to avoid a poor start to the league season.

    England duo Phil Jones and Marcus Rashford were already set to return early and United will now be boosted by Lukaku’s decision.

    Man United prepare to host Leicester City in their first league game on Aug. 10.

    “We will have (Victor) Lindelof who started training two days ago,” Mourinho said after United’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid in the pre-season International Champions Cup (ICC) on Wednesday.

    “Marcus Rashford, Jones and Lukaku are coming back three days early to try to be available for the team.”

    The Portuguese boss praised his senior players for the intensity they showed in United’s pre-season tour but insisted the fixtures did not reveal anything new strategically.

    “I didn’t learn anything (tactically). I know what (Ander) Herrera is, I know what (Juan) Mata is, I know what (Alexis) Sanchez is, I know what they are…

    “I know the kids need time to grow up,” Mourinho said.

    “The boys tried everything, they gave everything, they know we have to try to fight for the best result but tactically it means nothing.”

    United have won two of their five pre-season fixtures so far and will be keen to make a quick start in their quest to win silverware this season.

    Mourinho was unsure, however, if Anthony Martial would return in time to play Sunday’s final friendly against Bayern Munich.

    The Frenchman left the team’s pre-season tour early to attend the birth of his daughter.

  • Russia 2018: Lukaku strikes twice, as Belgium down Panama

    Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium broke the resistance of a brave Panama side on their World Cup debut, securing a 3-0 victory in the opening match of Group G in the ongoing 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    Dries Mertens shot home a superb volley two minutes into the second half, sending the ball arcing over Jaime Penedo after Panama struggled to clear a cross.

    Lukaku’s hard work up front was rewarded when he headed home Kevin De Bruyne’s brilliant pass off the outside off his foot to make it 2-0 in the 69th minute and the big striker latched on to an Eden Hazard pass to complete the scoring with a neat finish.

    The debutants suffered a shaky start as Lukaku went close for Belgium in the opening minute after an incisive pass from De Bruyne set Yannick Carrasco free down the left, but the striker fired wide.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Uruguay pip Egypt 1-0

    Despite being forced to spend much of the game defending, the Panamanians showed strength, speed and trickery when they did break forward, and they created chances of their own in a scoreless first half.

    The opening matches at the World Cup have seen Brazil and Argentina both draw their first games against Switzerland and Iceland respectively, with holders Germany losing to Mexico.

    But Belgium ensured there would be no upset at the Fisht Stadium with Mertens opening the scoring two minutes in, and as the underdogs started to chase an equalizer the space opened up.

  • Lukaku to pay LA Police £340 for loud parties

    Lukaku to pay LA Police £340 for loud parties

     

    Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku will avoid the prospect of jail time by compensating police in Los Angeles for their repeated call-outs over loud parties in the summer.

    Police said they arrested the 24-year-old after responding to five noise complaints in as many days at a Beverly Hills residence where he was staying.

    The parties were held while Lukaku was on the verge of a £75million transfer to the Old Trafford club from Everton.

    The Belgium frontman will pay 450 US dollars (£340) to reimburse the force as part of a deal that will see the charge reduced from a misdemeanour which could have carried six months in jail, a Los Angeles court was told on Tuesday.

    Commissioner Jane Godfrey, overseeing the case, said: ‘They are reaching a disposition in this case that the first thing that must happen is the defendant must pay Beverly Hills Police Department 450 dollars for multiple response calls.’

    The city will then reduce the charge to a disturbance of the peace infraction, which carries a 100 dollar (£76) fine plus other costs and penalties, she said.

    As a misdemeanour, the charge would have carried the maximum sentences of six months in county jail or a 1,000 dollar (£760) fine, the commissioner added.

    James Eckart, for the city, and Lukaku’s lawyer Robert Humphreys accepted the arrangement.

    The striker’s signing by Manchester United was completed around eight days after his arrest by the force at around 8pm on July 2.

    Days after the incident, he shared on Instagram a picture of himself in an apartment in the city with united midfielder Paul Pogba.

    The case will return to Los Angeles Airport Courthouse on December 18 when Lukaku’s lawyer is expected to pay the 550 dollars (£416) in fines and compensation, a 40 dollar (£30) fee as well as other undecided penalties.

  • Mourinho explains Lukaku penalty snub

    Mourinho explains Lukaku penalty snub

    Without a goal in the previous five games, Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku was quick to grab the ball when his team was awarded a penalty in the 78th minute of their Champions League game against Benfica.

    United were 1-0 up and had already missed one penalty, a soft effort from Anthony Martial saved by Benfica’s 18-year-old keeper Mile Svilar.

    But with Lukaku ready to end his barren spell and secure the win, United manager Jose Mourinho signaled he wanted someone else to take the spot-kick.

    Spanish substitute Ander Herrera showed his willingness to take the kick, but still Mourinho was not happy until his clear choice, Dutch defender Daley Blind was given the ball and drove confidently down the middle.

    It was an unusual scene but Mourinho said it was simply the boss doing his job.

    “I am paid to take decisions – good or bad. In the first half the decision was bad because the player I chose to take the penalty missed,” he said.

    “In the second half I made another decision and I don’t see the drama.

    The penalty taker for this match was Martial, he took it in the first half and missed and he was not even on the pitch for the second one.

    “Then I have to make a decision.

    “Romelu wants to take, he had the personality to take the responsibility, Herrera the same, but my decision, based on what we did in training in the past couple of days, was Blind.

    “The players respected my decision and that is it – end of story.”

    While United were far from their best, Mourinho said he was pleased to have picked up a fourth win in four games in Group A.

    “We have not qualified yet? Four victories and it is still not enough? We must get that point from the two remaining matches.

    “I am more than happy. We changed a lot of players, we broke the natural dynamic and routines of the team and we played a kid (Scott McTominay) from the academy.

    “We scored two goals, did not concede, gained three more points, more money for the club because every victory means money and did not have any significant injuries.”

    NAN

  • Koeman blames failed Giroud move, tough fixtures for sacking

    Koeman blames failed Giroud move, tough fixtures for sacking

    Former Everton manager, Ronald Koeman says the club’s failure to sign Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, combined with their tough fixture list to start the season, led to him being fired.

    Koeman was sacked on Monday after Everton’s 5-2 loss to Arsenal dropped them into the Premier League relegation zone.

    The side have struggled to score this year, netting just seven goals in nine league games, and Koeman said allowing top scorer Lukaku to leave for Manchester United without signing a replacement proved costly.

    “I had Olivier Giroud in the building,’’ Koeman told Dutch magazine VI.

    ”He would have fitted perfectly but, at the very last moment, he decided that he’d rather live in London and stay at Arsenal.

    “That was really hard to swallow … Lukaku was so important for us, not just because of his goals.

    “If things were not going well in a game, if we could not play the way we were used to, there was always the option to use the long ball towards him.”

    Everton faced Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in their opening nine league games.

    And Koeman, who spent heavily in the summer to overhaul the squad, said he knew it would be tough going when the fixture list came out.

    “I looked at it and saw that five of our first nine games would be against clubs from last season’s top six…,” Koeman added.

    “I said to myself, ‘Phew! That is not going to be an easy run, in particular with a Europa League run at the same time; and, most of all, because I had lost my striker Lukaku.”

    Giroud was not the only striking target Everton missed out on, midfielder Nikola Vlasic told Dutch outlet 24sata.

    The club had hoped to sign former Chelsea striker Diego Costa and had reserved a shirt number for the Spaniard.

    “Number 27 was free, I wanted 8, but Ross Barkley wears it, while the club was keeping 19 for Diego Costa,” Vlasic said.

    Assistant coach David Unsworth was named Everton’s interim manager and his first league match in charge will be a trip to Leicester City on Sunday.

    NAN

  • Lukaku dismisses flat-track bully charge

    Lukaku dismisses flat-track bully charge

     

    Romelu Lukaku hit back at criticism of his record against big clubs, saying he would prove his worth for Manchester United.

    Lukaku failed to have an impact as United played out a 0-0 draw against rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.

    The Belgium international has a league-high seven goals this campaign, but questions remain over his ability to produce against the big sides.

    The former Everton striker has scored 15 goals in 58 games against United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.

    But Lukaku, 24, dismissed suggestions he was a flat-track bully, saying it was different, and more difficult, for him at former club Everton.

    “I have heard that from people,” he told UK newspapers.

    “It’s different when every time I played for Everton we had a different mindset coming into the game.

    “As a striker when I was over there I had a good time. I learned my trade over there. I played there for four years. I am really grateful to the club no matter what happened.

    “But sometimes it is difficult as well when you play against the top teams and you play not to win and don’t really create chances. It is really difficult.

    “Now I am in a team where we want to win against the big teams and we want to win every game, so I think the situation will change.”

    Lukaku had United’s best, and arguably only, big chance at Anfield, but he was denied by a Simon Mignolet save.

    The striker said he felt some of the criticism directed his way was unfair, although he is unfazed.

    “A lot of strikers in the league miss bigger chances than me and they score two goals – but with me it’s always ‘Rom did this, Rom did that’ I don’t know why. It’s the standard people set,” Lukaku said.

    “People will always say this and that, but my record in the Premier League is pretty good and I’m in a situation where the team is performing really well.

    “It’s all about winning and trying to play as attractive football as we can, win all the time at all costs.”

  • Lukaku to continue leading Manchester United- Mourinho

    Lukaku to continue leading Manchester United- Mourinho

    Romelu Lukaku has started all of Manchester United’s games in the Premier League and Champions League but the Belgian striker cannot expect a break just yet, manager Jose Mourinho has said.

    Lukaku has hit the ground running since signing from Everton in the off-season with six league goals in as many games.

    He has also netted three times in European competitions as United have barely missed the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    Mourinho, who hailed Lukaku’s development since last working with the player during their time at Chelsea, said Lukaku must continue leading United’s line until Ibrahimovic’s return.

    “Without Zlatan, we cannot rotate the striker, especially because Marcus Rashford is playing also in other positions,” Mourinho told the club’s website (www.manutd.com).

    “So, until the moment we have Zlatan, we cannot think about giving rest to our number nine, the same way we give (rest) in other positions. We cannot do that.”

    Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals in 46 appearances for the club last season but injured his knee ligament in the 2-1 Europa League win over Anderlecht in May.

    The 35-year-old signed a one-year contract in the close season after surgery, but is not expected to return before the end of the year

    The Portuguese manager said Lukaku had taken his opportunities well.

    “I don’t want to speak about this progress. If I do that, it looks like we did something extraordinary in three months that he doesn’t have in the remaining years of his career,” said Mourinho.

    “I don’t think it’s fair. It’s just a global evolution; I think every step in his career, he got it, grabbed it with both hands.

    “It was always his dream to come to this level and since he’s arrived, I don’t think he thinks another thing other than success.”

    The manager said Lukaku was coping well with the pressure of playing for the 20-times league champions.

    United, who are on 16 points from six games on the back of Lukaku’s fine finishing, host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

  • EPL Results: Man City, Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea win matches

    EPL Results: Man City, Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea win matches

    Man City vs Crystal Palace 5-0

    Palace held Man City out until the 44th minute before Leroy Sane broke the deadlock and a quick fire double by Raheem Sterling deflated the visitors’ initially stubborn resistance.

    Late goals by Sergio Aguero and Fabian Delph completed a 5-0 route, making it the third time City hit five or more in three successive games.

    Southampton vs Man United 0-1

    Romelu Lukaku broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, converting the rebound after Saints goalkeeper Fraser Forster parried his header from Ashley Young’s cross.

    The result maintains United’s unbeaten start to their league campaign, although they are second in the table, behind Manchester City on goal difference.

    Their latest victory was not routine as Southampton piled on the pressure in the second half, and United’s Marouane Fellaini had to clear Oriol Romeu’s header off the line

    Leicester City vs Liverpool 2-3

    Simon Mignolet saved Jamie Vardy’s penalty to clinch a thrilling 3-2 win for Liverpool at Leicester city

    The goalkeeper capped an eventful game after conceding the spot-kick having also been in the spotlight for Shinji Okazaki’s controversial strike.

    Mignolet appeared to be held by the forward when he netted just before the break after Leicester trailed to goals from Mohamed Salah and Philippe Coutinho.

    Jordan Henderson made it 3-1 before Vardy netted but he was then denied from the spot by Mignolet.

    Stoke vs Chelsea 0-4

    Blues continued to show there is life after Diego Costa with another Premier League victory at Stoke, with Alvaro Morata scoring a hat-trick in a 4-0 win.

    Morata, the club-record signing bought to replace Costa, was on the scoresheet again early on before Pedro extended the lead on the half-hour mark.

    Both goals came from defensive mistakes by Stoke, whose manager Mark Hughes had demanded a response from his players following the disappointing midweek defeat at Bristol City in the Carabao Cup. He did not get it, with Morata rounding off the win in the final quarter-hour.

  • Man U fans insists on Lukaku penis chant

    Man U fans insists on Lukaku penis chant

     

    Manchester United fans were heard singing the controversial chant involving Romelu Lukaku during their side’s game at Southampton Saturday afternoon, with Lukaku scoring the only goal of the match.

    Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out this week claimed that the chant, which suggests that Lukaku has “a 24-inch penis”, is “offensive and discriminatory” for using the ethnic stereotype that black men have large penises.

    “We have contacted Manchester United regarding the issue and will be working closely with them and The FA to ensure that it is addressed swiftly. If we receive any reports relating to the discriminatory chant, those will be passed on to the governing body and the perpetrators can expect to face punishment.”

    United, stated via their official Twitter account this week: “We remind fans of our commitment to ensuring Old Trafford remains inclusive for all. Action will be taken against any offensive behavior.”

    Lukaku issued a similar message to supporters, saying: “Great backing since I joined MUFC. Fans have meant well with their songs but let’s move on together.”

    The ‘MUFC Songs and Chants’ supporter group declared that they would continue singing the chant unless ordered to stop, reasoning that it is “not a negative chant”, but then Lukaku himself called upon fans to “move on”.

    The chant was once again heard from the away end at St Mary’s this afternoon, however, after Lukaku opened the scoring for his side with 20 minutes played.

    The song was followed up by the chant: “We’re Man United; we’ll sing what we want.”

    Southampton in the closing minutes of the match came out smoking but Manchester United stood their ground to win as they whistle went in the 94th minute. Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho was however sent off the technical bench just before final whistle.  Lukaku has already scored six goals in six games so far.

  • Chelsea crush Qarabag in UEFA Champions League

    Chelsea crush Qarabag in UEFA Champions League

    Chelsea enjoyed a triumphant return to the UEFA Champions League after a year out on Tuesday, thumping the competition’s debutants Qarabag 6-0, including a stunning, if miscued, strike from new signing Davide Zappacosta.

    The Azeri champions were never any match for their English counterparts and it took only five minutes for Pedro to open the scoring with a curling shot from the edge of the area.

    Deadline-day signing Zappacosta, apparently looking to cross the ball, produced a swirling screamer of a goal from some 35 metres out on the half hour.

    Chelsea ran riot in the second half, with goals from defender Cesar Azpilicueta, new French signing Tiemoue Bakayoko and two from Michy Batshuayi rounding off an impressive display against the Group C underdogs.

    In other UEFA Champions League matches also played on Tuesday, Romelu Lukaku opened his Champions League account as Manchester United marked their return to the competition with a 3-0 rout of Basle in their opening Group A match at Old Trafford.

    A mesmeric Lionel Messi scored twice and inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Juventus as the Catalans got off to a flying start in Champions League Group D.

    It was a sweet revenge for Barcelona following their last season’s quarterfinal elimination by the Italian champions.

    Also, Paris Saint Germain flexed their attacking muscles with a 5-0 victory at Celtic in their opening Champions League Group B game on Tuesday as the world’s most expensive frontline produced a potent display of force.

    Neymar, making his first European appearance for PSG after his world-record move from Barcelona,scored first in the 19th minute. He was joined on the scoresheet by Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani, the other two members of PSG’s expensive forward trio.