Why Is Lukaku Not Celebrating?

Romelu Lukaku made it two goals in two Premier League games for Manchester United, but the Sky Sports pundits questioned his decision not to celebrate against West Brom.

Lukaku ended a five-game league drought with the winner against Bournemouth in midweek and while his header in a 2-1 win at The Hawthorns was a carbon-copy of that at Old Trafford, so too was his muted reaction.

Jose Mourinho shrugged off Lukaku's lack of celebration against the Cherries, citing its time in the game with just 25 minutes on the clock.

But the Sky Sports experts believe the forward's stony-faced expression against the Baggies was a message to his critics.

"I think it's because of the criticism he's been getting," Graeme Souness said when asked why he thought Lukaku neglected to celebrate.

"I'm a fan. He's not getting a lot of clever passes; these are goals he's having to manufacture himself - the Bournemouth goal in midweek where his power gets him there - and now this.

"For me, he's not been getting the service he needs but if he's got the huff, he's got to rise above that."

Fellow analyst Jamie Redknapp also hailed Lukaku's qualities but had stronger words for the Belgium international over his lack of celebration.

"When he gets the right delivery he's unstoppable," Redknapp said. "But I don't get the non-celebration. Whether he's unhappy with the criticism he's got, it's irrelevant.

"He's paid big money to affect games for Manchester United. Not celebrating a goal? I don't get it."

Co-commentator Gary Neville agreed with his Sky Sports colleagues in the Nissan Super Sunday studio, saying during the match: "He needs to celebrate, he absolutely does.

"He's had some criticism recently but when you score, you celebrate with those fans jumping up behind that goal. Celebrate with those fans, endear yourself to them."

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, United boss Mourinho said Lukaku's "love" for West Brom was the reason behind his muted celebration, having played for the club on loan from Chelsea in the 2012-13 campaign.

"I think Romelu had the fact that he was a happy kid at West Brom. He was a kid that was given all the conditions here to have the evolution he had. So probably in the back of his mind is that love for the club," Mourinho said.

Credit: Skysports.com