Why Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku should start against Bournemouth

Many fans and pundits have been calling on Jose Mourinho to drop Romelu Lukaku from the Manchester United squad due to his recent goal drought. Here’s why they’re wrong.

Things are looking pretty bleak for Romelu Lukaku at Manchester United.

Since joining from Everton last year for £75 million, the Belgian has had his critics and doubters. He has been ridiculed for his poor first touch as well as for not scoring enough against the top six.

Last season, Lukaku largely answered his critics by scoring 27 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for United. However, this season, the 25-year-old has struggled to maintain his record of scoring roughly every other game, having found the net only four times in 14 games.

Nevertheless, I believe that dropping Lukaku ahead of our upcoming Premier League clash against Bournemouth would be a huge mistake.

Many have said that the striker looks tired on the pitch and needs a rest, but this could in fact have an adverse effect on the Belgian. Strikers are built on confidence. Dropping him now would only shatter his confidence. The only way he can regain his confidence is by scoring again, so he must be given consistent game time in order for him to turn things around.

Although the Cherries are by no means a weak opponent (they are two places above us in the Premier League table, after all) they are exactly the kind of lesser side Lukaku loves scoring against.

Our next league fixture after Bournemouth will be against Manchester City on their home turf. It would be risky throwing Lukaku into such a big game after not playing the week prior.

So, Jose Mourinho should play him on Saturday and ensure that the team is set up to create chances for him. Should Lukaku score, his confidence will be high heading into the City game. If not, he can drop Lukaku and bring him back into the fold the following week when we face Crystal Palace at home – another team Lukaku loves scoring against.

Do you agree that Romelu Lukaku should start against Bournemouth? Or do you think the Belgian deserves a rest? Who would you like to see come in to replace him up top? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!