Thierry Henry: Lukaku more unselfish since Manchester United move
Premier League legend Thierry Henry hasn’t been afraid to criticize Manchester United’s marquee signing this summer in Romelu Lukaku, however, the Big Belgian’s performances of late have garnered praise from the ex-Arsenal man.
“What Lukaku is starting to understand is Man United needed to score,” Henry told Sky Sports.
“The team needed to score. It doesn’t have to be you, the team needed to score. Once you go 2-0 up, go for your goal. It’s something he is starting to understand.”
Lukaku has been a revelation up front for a United side that scored just 53 goals in the Premier League last season. The 24-year old finds himself as the league’s joint top scorer with Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata — the man United turned down for Lukaku — with all three sitting on 6 goals.
Despite the strong start, Henry wasn’t shy to criticize Lukaku earlier this season.
“That’s [movement] something he needs to bring to his game. We all know what he can do.” Henry said in August. “If you want to take it to another level at Man Utd – four goals in three official games is remarkable – it is about getting better. He will work on it, he’s with special players and he’s with Mourinho.”
The Belgian has added just one assist through one game, but his hold up play has been a crucial piece to United’s scoring success thus far and his unselfishness throughout the game is leading to chances for everyone, not just himself.
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Lukaku scored late on against Everton two weeks ago, moments after setting up Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and his patience was rewarded with yet another goal this past weekend against Southampton.
United spent £75m to bring the striker to Old Trafford, and he’s exceeded all expectations so far in his United career.
His eye for goal, and his eye for the extra pass makes United’s attack extremely formidable. He’s taking his chances when they come, and not forcing the issue. Lukaku is the Red Devi’s focal point, and the evolution of his game has taken United’s attack to the next level.
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Lukaku has managed to turn criticism into praise from one of the games greatest ever strikers. If he continues the fine form that he’s in, he very well could be the driving force that sees United hoist the Premier League title at the end of the season — just like Henry did in 2004.