Left on the bench for the start of the game against Bristol City, Romelu Lukaku came on in the 67th minute to replace Daley Blind, but was unable to help his side go through to the Carabao Cup’s semi-final as the Championship side’s dramatic 93rd minute winner put an end to Manchester United’s title defence.
The Belgian striker was given a rare chance to rest, starting every game in every other competition this season, and probably wasn’t expected to be called upon in a game his side should have, on paper, won comfortably.
Recently putting an end to his goal drought against Bournemouth, Lukaku, not helped by the fee Manchester United spent to bring him to Old Trafford, has faced a lot of criticism recently, especially after his performance against Pep Guardiola’s side in the local derby.
Trying to put that behind him, the former Everton star is also, according to Sport/Foot, facing a difficult time off the pitch with his agent Mino Raiola, as the Belgian magazine claim the two aren’t on the best of terms right now.
‘Tensions’ are said to have appeared over the past year, especially during the whole Everton renewal saga, and Lukaku is now ‘wary’ of his representative’s ‘double dealings’ that saw him pocket a tasty commission from his transfer over the summer.
And that’s not all, with Sport/Foot also suggesting the relationship between the Belgium international and Paul Pogba far from being what it was in the summer, with the Frenchman ‘not appreciating the media attention his teammate received that saw him be pushed out of the spotlight’.
We’re not sure where all this is coming from, but it’s the first we’ve heard of it, on both accounts.
Either way, Manchester United have a busy schedule ahead, and with Pogba now back from suspension, the two have Leicester away to prepare for, so if they have differences, they’ll need to be put to one side for now.
