Lukaku's all round play has been brilliant thus far, wish more of our players could play like him. I was expecting an oaf after reading some comments in the thread when Lukaku signed for us.
Álvaro Morata | Performances
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Against Arsenal he made critical contributions in the build up for both of Lingard's goals. He's quite clearly capable of more than banging in goals like a poacher even though he has scope for improvement in holding up the ball and his first touch.
He's struggling physically. Doesn't help that Chelsea don't have another decent striker to rotate him with.
Plus this is the first time in his career in which he has been entrusted with the job of being the main striker. I suppose he'll be much better in the next season but just makes you appreciate more the kind of striker Costa was when he was arsed.
Or Overrate Morata as if he is some Benzema at his peak.
He is clearly a little snowflake that goes to the ground on every contact. Please don't try to find excuses for a 1.85m striker who goes down like being shot on every little nudge. He is a diver, and he's been doing that for a while.
I haven't seen the other dives from him this season but it seems like it's universally accepted that he's a diver so I'll accept that you and others are right on that.
But in this case, he's grabbed on the shoulders while running through the penalty area. It's a foul. It's been discussed countless times - if you don't go down, you don't get a penalty. Referees have created this problem by avoiding making decisions.
The worst thing is that he keeps doing it whereas it's not working much. He should realize that being stronger on the ball might actually yield more fouls given because the refs would stupidly go "this guy is strong so he is falling maybe it's a foul". Costa was a master at this. Knowing when to absorb a challenge and when it generate a FK
He was not really grabbed, it was a contact not enough for a penalty, the defender put his arm on his shoulder and he immediately went on the floor. If that's a penalty we might as well change the rules and make football a non contact sport.
Exactly. I would go the lengths and say Lukaku is fouled just as much as Morata, but referees rarely give any foul to Rom probably because he doesn't go down as much as the other.
What's up with the donkey?
Interesting.
Dodged a bullet, it seems.
Sounds like a get out from being forced to give an estimate on Morata if they are giving him a mid season break to get his mind right.
You have to feel for the player here. He’s clearly ambitious enough to leave the comfort of his home and move abroad to get first team football. But weight of expectations from him was always going to be too much. Playing full 90 minutes in a physical league was always going to be a challenge.
Indeed. Though I'd say he was doing well enough before the injury.
Not really. Not for a striker playing for the champions.
He was OK. Not terrible.
Morata has all the potential to be top class but he needs the environment of a right club to allow him to grow into it.
Conte’s dealings with losing Costa was always spelling the beginning of the end for him time at Chelsea.
Conte’s dealings with losing Costa was always spelling the beginning of the end for him time at Chelsea.
They hardly look like champions this season and when they have been playing well he was a part of that.
That may be the difference. The "physical league" part sounds really cliche. Plenty players from abroad have dealt easily with the supposed extra layer of physicality the PL offers.
And plenty have struggled. In fact, you could argue most have struggled, seeing as how often we don't see the best of them until their second and subsequent seasons. The PL is definitely a more physical league than the other big European leagues, if only because of how differently it is refereed. Can you imagine a Spanish team getting away with kicking the feck out of Madrid the way Huddersfield did to us last weekend?
You wouldn't know it by the reaction on here any time he scored a goal, back when he did score the odd goal that is
I was prepared to get behind him had we signed him due to the unknown potential he may have had but in hindsight from what we've seen of him in a Chelsea shirt it's obvious why he was never first choice at Juve or Real
United made the right choice with Lukaku. Morata's fragileness wouldn't have played with JoMou.
Have you seen Atletico play?
Sure. Not loads but enough. Never seen them get away with the sort of anti-football Huddersfield produced last weekend though.
Premier league is more physical though. Every top manager who managed in other leagues have mentioned it including Jose and Pep. Some players who arrived from other leagues adapted to it(Silva, Salah etc.), others embraced it(Zlatan, Costa etc.). Morata will need to do it as well.
He's been meh, but I'd probably judge him from next season onwards. Fact is, this is the first time he has played so many games as first choice, and that transition is something his body may not be used to. Also, couple this with the fact that he's playing in a more physical league.
If he flops next season as well, then I suppose he will never hit the highs we thought he was capable of. Probably the next Milan striker then.
If he flops next season as well, then I suppose he will never hit the highs we thought he was capable of. Probably the next Milan striker then.
I heard he hurt his back fishing, for a move back to Real.
On the bench tonight, Conte pulling a Pep overstating an injury 
Excellent newsOn the bench tonight, Conte pulling a Pep overstating an injury
Morata plays better in a 2. Chelsea system not helping him
At this point Giroud is a superior player.
But...but...link-up play...
Spends more time moaning and on the ground. Chelsea will do well to recoup 3/4 of what they paid for him.
Signing him was always a risk, but one worth taking at the time I think. Whoever signed him was putting faith in the fact he could go on and lead the line for a top team. As it happens, he leads the line for Chelsea.
Signing him was always a risk, but one worth taking at the time I think. Whoever signed him was putting faith in the fact he could go on and lead the line for a top team. As it happens, he leads the line for Chelsea.
Put to shame by Olivier Giroud.
He is a snowflake
Giroud is very underrated.
Good oneBut...but...link-up play...
He was horrible today.