Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku’s celebration was “just a bit of banter”
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has dismissed his celebration against Everton after scoring against his former club, saying it was nothing more than “banter.”
“It (the celebration) was just a bit of banter. I missed the free kick. I missed then knocked in the rebound. It’s just football,” Lukaku said post-match.
With Manchester United 2-0 up in the closing minutes Lukaku smashed his free kick into the wall — much to the love of the traveling Everton fans who began to sarcastically cheer the Belgian. Moments later, Lukaku buried Lingard’s flicked-on header and cupped his ear towards his former supporters.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Lukaku added, “It’s another goal really, but we’re really happy with the win and that we stay top of the league. That’s the only objective for me this season.”
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Manchester United went 1-0 up early through Antonio Valencia’s stunner, but from that point Lukaku and the rest of the side struggled to put the chances away.
The Belgian was an easy target for the Everton fans, having missed a sitter earlier in the game.
Wayne Rooney departed the match in the 82′ minute with his side still down just one goal. And when Everton finally began to push forward to search for an equaliser, Lukaku and the Red Devils went for the throat.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan was on the receiving end of Lukaku’s through ball which he buried to double the lead, and then Lukaku grabbed his sixth goal in as many games to put the game out of reach.
"“We could have scored more in first half,” Lukaku said following the match. “We weren’t clinical enough. In the second half, Everton had a lot of control but quality was the difference in the end.”"
Jose Mourinho said he didn’t put any pressure on the big striker to score, despite his missed chances previously: “He knows that from me there is no pressure for goal scoring, my pressure is for the tactical plan, for the organization of the team, and he knew that I was totally happy with him so no reason to lose any confidence.”.
There is no problem with celebrating against your former club — especially when the player in particular has dealt with an afternoon full of heckling.
We loved Robin van Persie when he celebrated against Arsenal and loathed Danny Welbeck when he celebrated knocking United out of the 2015 FA Cup.
Next: Mourinho: Manchester United fans are quiet at Old Trafford
Football is an emotional game and often players get caught up in the moment. Lukaku was completely in his rights to celebrate, and as long as he keeps up this great form for United there can be little to no complaints. However, he can expect far worse from his former supporters when we travel to the blue side of Liverpool.