Don’t Be Surprised That Lukaku Didn’t Celebrate His Man United Winner

Former England striker turned TV pundit Alan Shearer was surprised that Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku didn’t celebrate getting his side’s goal against AFC Bournemouth last night:

“Unless there is something we are unaware of, it was a very surprising lack of reaction from Lukaku to his goal,”

I’m not sure why the Match of the Day man was so surprised.

Both United and Lukaku have had a tough week. They lost the Manchester derby and the Belgian frontman missed chances and was possibly at fault for the two goals United conceded.

Romelu’s goalscoring form in the bigger games has also received criticism and the player himself can’t be happy with his goal return in the clashes that matter most.

Last night’s terrific header was only the twenty-four year old’s second Premier League goal since the end of September.

There’s no doubt that he’s put the effort in and his style and play has helped get more from those around him, he has four assists to his name so far this season but Jose Mourinho splashed out £75m on him for his finishing ability. He does have twelve goals in seventeen league appearances but he couldn’t find the net in the games against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City.

Being a prolific marksman as he is, no one would be more frustrated by his lack of strikes than Lukaku himself. Like all great goal-scorers, goal droughts are horrible spells that attack your confidence.

Personally I think the Belgian international was still thinking of the chances missed against City, when he struck against Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side. His goal against The Cherries is what’s meant to happen week in and week out, so there’s no need to celebrate.

I also think that the aftermath of the Manchester derby would have been playing on his mind too.

Reports suggest that Mourinho and his men were angry at what they perceived as over celebrating from their noisy neighbours. Lukaku’s name was heavily linked with the fracas too.

Maybe the United team, and in this case Romelu Lukaku, felt it would be a bit hypocritical to then go wild by scoring a goal in your very next game.

Listen, Manchester United and all their players would have been hurting after their loss to Man City. They will also be angry and the main focus would have been to get right back to winning ways.

They did that last night and now they need to keep focused on putting a winning run together and see what happens this season.

If Lukaku grabs a few in more important fixtures and doesn’t celebrate, then I’ll be surprised and worried about things at Old Trafford.

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