It’s been a game to forget for the striker.
The Manchester derby mostly stuck to the script in the sense that City enjoyed most of the possession, United defended deep and Kompany went off injured.
Despite the fact that City dominated the game, United fans will be disappointed by the way they conceded both goals.
Many predicted that defending set pieces against City would be when United would have felt most comfortable without the ball, given that the average height of their team is north of 6 foot and City do not have many aerial threats.
But two defensive errors from forward Romelu Lukaku allowed City to take the lead and then retake the lead after Marcus Rashford had bailed Lukaku out.
For the first goal, 6’4″ Lukaku was beaten by 6’1″ Otamendi in the air at a corner, and the ball fell to David Silva who made no mistake in firing the ball past a helpless David De Gea.
Everyone was in agreement that Lukaku was at fault.
https://twitter.com/MkhiStuff/status/939909565524557824
Lukaku just assisted Silva 😤😤😤smh
— Duvhalo (@DumiDee8) December 10, 2017
Lukaku didn’t cover himself in glory for City’s second goal either. As a free kick came curling in to the back post, Lukaku attempted a clearance with his weaker right foot which cannoned back off Ander Herrera, straight into Otamendi’s path for a gift of a goal.
Some saw the funny side.
Romelu Lukaku now has 2 assists, one to David Silva's goal and the other to Otamendi's. What a player.
— . (@Mykhailoed) December 10, 2017
If nothing else, it's nice to see Lukaku quieten the haters who say he doesn't have an impact in big games.
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 10, 2017
Other fans were not impressed with the poor defensive organisation.
Why is Lukaku – as poor as that clearance attempt was – even in the full-back position? Dear God.
— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) December 10, 2017
Lukaku then had a chance to redeem himself in the 84th minute when Martial put a chance on a plate for him to level the scoreline but inexplicably, Ederson saved the shot with his face.
A day to forget for the Belgian.
