Scholes questions Lukaku over why he didn’t defy Mourinho

Matt Stead

Paul Scholes believes that Romelu Lukaku should have defied Jose Mourinho and taken Manchester United’s second penalty against Benfica.

United beat the Portuguese side 2-0 to virtually assure themselves of qualification from their Champions League group stage on Tuesday. Scott McTominay played and was our early Champions League winner.

An unfortunate own goal from Mile Svilar and a Daley Blind spot-kick guided United to a fourth win from four European games.

Anthony Martial had missed a first-half penalty and so when it came to deciding who would try from 12 yards when a second was awarded towards the end of the game, confusion ensued.

Both Lukaku and Ander Herrera demanded the ball before Blind won the argument, took the penalty and scored.

Mourinho said that it was his decision for the Dutchman to take the penalty, but former midfielder Scholes has suggested that Lukaku should have ignored his manager and taken it himself.

“He has to demand it himself,” Scholes told BT Sport.

“Maybe he’s short of confidence, he should push everyone out the way and take the penalty.”

Because that would go down really well, wouldn’t it?