Why Any Criticism Of Lukaku Is Unjustified

It seems unfair for Romelu Lukaku to be attracting any criticism after his red-hot start to life at Manchester United.

The Belgian provided the Reds' only shot on target in the 0-0 draw at Liverpool and his fellow countryman Simon Mignolet dived to push it away, with Ashley Young unable to profit from the rebound.

This single moment has already been used in some quarters to continue the narrative that the 24-year-old does not deliver in the big games. Yet it's nonsense and I am sure he will dispel the myth in the months to come as the high-profile fixtures continue.

It is difficult to understand why his goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, the current European champions and one of the best sides on the planet, is conveniently excluded in this particular argument.

Lukaku wasted no time settling in at Old Trafford and, unlike a host of centre-forwards going back years and years, has racked up enviable stats right from the off. With a second blank of the entire campaign, including internationals for Belgium, coming on Saturday, he is now only on 11 goals in 11 games for the club. If that ratio continues, certainly nobody can complain.

Any statistics used to support a suggestion Lukaku is ineffective against the big sides ignores his hat-trick for West Brom against United in Sir Alex's final game in charge and, in fact, his work for the Baggies was impressive in this field. Admittedly, for Everton his 14 goals in 49 league and cup games against the top six was not as impressive as his overall tally but the Toffees had a poor record in such fixtures (winning nine of 49 outings).

So let's look at his display on Merseyside this weekend in a little more detail. Ploughing a lone furrow in attack, he often cut an isolated figure and had to deal with the close attentions of the Liverpool centre-backs throughout. It is fair to say he was not afforded too many opportunities to show the attacking thrust that has wreaked havoc against other clubs this term.

There was just one opening, towards the end of the first half, when he was on the end of the Reds' best move of the match and his shot had the power, but not the direction, to beat Mignolet, who beat it away. It looked a decent stop by the Liverpool keeper and, with the visitors failing to trouble him again afterwards, there is a sense of inevitability that it will go down as a missed chance to take the points.

Yet that would be exceptionally harsh on the big striker. Even if he is disappointed he could not convert that solitary chance, it should not be used to argue he is a flat-track bully. You only have to look back to this time last year, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was unable to divert his header on target from our only clear sight of goal. Rightly so, nobody would ever accuse the Swede of not being the man for the big occasion, as he has proved countless times in his glittering career.

Lukaku still has that to do, of course. But he is only 24 and that is often forgotten. His record is simply incredible and the way he has adapted to life at Old Trafford can only be applauded. He'll be there at the sharp end again, in Lisbon against Benfica, and will be out to get back on the goal trail. After all, those who felt he would not impress in the Champions League have gone quiet after his three strikes in his opening two group-game appearances.

In time, there won't be any debate about his ability to find the net in the biggest games. He's at a club where he will get the chance to do so and have ample opportunity to silence any doubters once and for all.

The opinions in this story are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Manchester United Football Club.

Credit: Manutd.com