Dimitar Berbatov launches defence of Man Utd striker Romelu Lukaku
Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov believes Romelu Lukaku has been “unfairly criticised” at the club and hopes he will stay put this summer.
The Belgium international moved to Old Trafford from Everton in 2017 and has scored 42 goals in 96 games for United so far.
Has Lukaku been treated unfairly at Man Utd? Five things to know…
- Lukaku joined United from Everton for a sum of £75m.
- Since then, he’s scored 28 Premier League goals but managed just 12 last term.
- He has been criticised in some quarters for his poor first touch and lack of mobility.
- Now, he’s being linked with a move to Juventus with Paolo Dybala rumoured to be heading the other way.
- Berbatov feels Lukaku has been mistreated and wants him to stay at United.
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However, he has never quite seemed settled in Manchester and has recently been linked with both Inter Milan and Juventus – the latter are rumoured to be willing to allow Paolo Dybala to head in the opposite direction.
But Berbatov, who scored 56 goals for United during his playing days, believes the criticism levelled at Lukaku during his time at the club is “unfair” and hopes the 26-year-old will remain a part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad.
“I said it before and I will repeat it, I am a fan of his and I think he is unfairly criticised most of the time,” the Bulgarian said.
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“For me, I think he can stay, when you know your team-mates you know how to play with them and how to make them look good.
“So you need to know your strong side and keep to that. I hope he can stay because he can give a lot more to the team.”
Although Lukaku’s departure would admittedly leave United short of options up front, it may be hard to keep hold of the former Chelsea man given his previous desire to fulfil his “dream” move to Italy.
“Playing in Serie A is a dream, it would be really a dream,” he said earlier this year. “I hope to be able to play sooner or later, even if at the moment I am focused on the United.”
United have already secured the signings of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer and are hopeful they can complete a deal for Leicester City defender Harry Maguire in the coming days.
The Red Devils take on Chelsea in their Premier League opener on August 11th.
