Mourinho reacts to Lukaku’s goal in Man United’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth
The Manchester United manager heaps praise on Romelu Lukaku for his second-half winner against Bournemouth on Wednesday night
Jose Mourinho praised Romelu Lukaku for his second-half winner in Manchester United’s 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
The Red Devils were looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-1 loss to Premier League leaders Manchester City at Old Trafford last weekend following goals from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi.
Manchester United striker Lukaku was criticised for his poor defending for both of Manchester City’s goals in the derby as the Citizens moved 11 points clear of their city rivals.
Lukaku made amends on Wednesday night when the 24-year-old striker nodded home Juan Mata’s cross in the first half to secure three points for the home side.
The summer signing’s winner was only his third goal in his last 14 appearances in all competitions to give the £75m signing some much-needed confidence.
Speaking to his media conference about Lukaku’s winner and Manchester United’s overall performance against Bournemouth, Mourinho said:
“It was a good cross [from Juan Mata] and a good header and then, in the second half, some good movement but without the sharpness to kill it.
“We had [Anthony] Martial [who was] unlucky with a missed chance and Marcus [Rashford] with that amazing shot [which hit the woodwork] so we had conditions to kill the game but it was very important to keep control.”
Manchester United finished in sixth place in the Premier League table but the Red Devils won the Europa League and the League Cup in Mourinho’s first season.
The Red Devils signed Lukaku in a £75m deal from Premier League rivals Everton in the summer transfer window despite the chance to return to Chelsea.
