Forget Morata, Ronaldo: Lukaku is perfect fit for Manchester United
By Nhan Doan
Manchester United has been linked with various transfer rumours including Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Morata and Andrea Belotti, but Romelu Lukaku is the perfect fit for the Red Devils.
United is looking for a world-class striker after parting away with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been released following the end of the one-year deal.
The Swedish striker scored 28 goals in 46 matches the past season, but suffered a knee injury in the game against Anderlecht, which ruled him out for the rest of the year.
United decided to opt out of the one-year option, leaving the team with Wayne Rooney and Marcus Rashford as the only two strikers on the roster. Rooney’s days in Manchester are numbered, while the teenager hasn’t impressed Jose Mourinho enough for a permanent starting spot.
An immediate replacement for Ibrahimovic is a must for the Red Devils this summer. United has the financial ability to pursue any options available in the market, but choosing the right man for the job is the tricky part.
What Ibrahimovic contributed to the team the past season wasn’t limited to his impressive goal return record. He often dropped to the midfield, won the aerial battle and held the ball before he picked out his teammates in the half-spaces.
Mourinho often instructs the team to play direct football and asks the winger to make dummy run to the box. Without a true playmaker in the midfield, Zlatan played an integral part of leading United’s attacking chances.
Ibrahimovic left Manchester United as the team’s second-best in chances created and aerial won per game, per whoscored. He is a prime example of a modern complete forward, and Mourinho desperately needs a player who processes the same quality to fill the void.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Alvaro Morata, Andrea Bellotti and Romelu Lukaku have each been linked to a relocation to Old Trafford. Considering the four candidates, the Belgian is the perfect fit for his former coach’s system at United.
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Ronaldo might be the best goalscorer in the world, but his style of play would be a burden to United’s mediocre midfield. The 32-year-old striker relies on his deadly finishing and clever movement to time his run to the box – a classic poacher. While his ability to find the back of the net can’t be undermined, his style of play requires plenty of his teammates’ services.
United struggled to create chances the past season because of an unbalanced midfield. Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera often found themselves nowhere near the 18-yard-box, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata preferred to make penetration run in behind rather than helping out the midfield.
A player like Ronaldo would be a sitting duck, similar to Marouane Fellaini’s performance whenever he is deployed as a de facto target man. Bellotti and Morata would be in a similar situation had they moved to Old Trafford.
Lukaku, on the other hand, should be “The Chosen One.” He played in a rather similar system under Ronald Koeman the past season, where he was often asked to drop deep to help out the midfield. His physical attribute makes him an aerial threat, an ability that would suit Mourinho’s direct approach.
His numbers the past season were convincing. He netted 25 times in league competition comparing to Ibrahimovic’s 17, though he was featured nine times more than the latter. Per whoscored, Lukaku created 1.3 chances per game, completed 1.7 dribbles per game and won 2.8 aerial duels per game, a rather identical number to the United’s former No. 9.
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The numbers suggest Lukaku would make an immediate impact to United who are lacking the edge in the attacking spare. He is also only 23 and his experience in the Premier League is highly regarded. €60 million to exchange for his service is a fair deal, considering the Red Devils need to further upgrade their squad.