Pundit: Once Mourinho goes Lukaku will be ‘outed’

Joe Williams

Romelu Lukaku should be dropped in favour of Marcus Rashford and the former will be “outed” by any new manager should Jose Mourinho be sacked, claims ESPN pundit Craig Burley.

In what can only be described as a hatchet job on the Belgium frontman, Burley believes he should be axed and Rashford given a start at centre-forward after a run of six games without a goal.

Lukaku, who was a £75million recruit from Everton in August 2017, has scored 31 goals in 62 games for the Red Devils, but Burley does not believe the 25-year-old is a clever enough striker to lead the line for United and says his goal come against the lesser teams.

In fact Lukaku has only scored once for United in the Premier League against the big five – Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea – and that was against the latter last season.

“He’s one of a number of United players that, once Mourinho goes, will have to be outed by the new regime,” Burley told ESPN. “Whether that be a sporting director or a new manager.

“He’s a good player but, watching him lately, he’s not making the right runs.

“I wouldn’t call him a clever striker – he’s big and powerful and gets his ratio of goals. But it’s against the weaker teams.

“If he’s not playing well and not making the runs, Marcus Rashford is a natural striker,” Burley added.

“Yes he’s young but he’s an international, he’s got experience, he’s quick, he’s clever, he’s not frightened to try anything.

“If Lukaku is not cutting it then Mourinho will have to get him out of the team.”