Manchester United frontman Romelu Lukaku shows there's more to his game than goals in win over Tottenham

  • Striker Romelu Lukaku claimed his second assist in as many games on Saturday
  • The Manchester United ace set up Anthony Martial in a 1-0 win over Tottenham
  • Lukaku has not scored in five matches but there is more to his game than goals
  • United v Spurs had been billed as Lukaku v Harry Kane but the latter was injured 

With Harry Kane absent, the field of expensive star strikers at Old Trafford was reduced to one. The irony is that £75million Romelu Lukaku proved to Manchester United fans and his manager that he's not just a goalscorer.

Lukaku's reputation has always been of a fearsome finisher whose overall game was let down by a lack of workrate and assists.

Something Jose Mourinho must have done has changed all that. The 24-year-old Belgian hasn't scored in his last five games but, with assists in each of his last two Premier League games, he's still proving invaluable for his team.

Romelu Lukaku did not score in Manchester United's 1-0 win over Spurs but he worked hard

Romelu Lukaku did not score in Manchester United's 1-0 win over Spurs but he worked hard

The Belgian striker's physical presence was crucial in United claiming three points at home

The Belgian striker's physical presence was crucial in United claiming three points at home

There was disappointment among the neutrals that the great Lukaku-Kane shoot-out didn't happen because of the Englishman's hamstring injury.


Lukaku endured a frustrating opening 45 minutes with United failing to give him much service in a scratchy game which saw both defences on top. Nevertheless, he continued to run the channels when needed, a team man.

Previously in his career, Lukaku might have let his shoulders drop if it didn't seem to be his day. But that's not happening, even in a mini-drought.

Last weekend, it was Lukaku who nearly inspired a comeback at Huddersfield with a wicked cross from the left that was nodded in by Marcus Rashford.

Against Spurs, his contribution was even more telling. He'd been denied by Hugo Lloris with his first chance on goal when his left-foot shot was destined for the bottom corner.

He then rose brilliantly to meet Jesse Lingard's cross – but the header hit the post.

Lukaku set up Anthony Martial with a measured flick-on for the game's only goal at Old Trafford

Lukaku set up Anthony Martial with a measured flick-on for the game's only goal at Old Trafford

He now has two assists in as many games after setting up Marcus Rashford at  last weekend

He now has two assists in as many games after setting up Marcus Rashford at last weekend

There was no sulking though, even against the backdrop of Spurs fans serenading him with the chant, 'You're just a s*** Harry Kane'. When goalkeeper David de Gea launched a massive free-kick in his direction, he was alert and got to the ball ahead of marker Eric Dier.

The flick on to Anthony Martial was perfect and the Frenchman ran on to score to give United three points.

Martial paid credit to his team-mate afterwards.

The Frenchman said: 'I know Romelu is good with his head so I knew if I made the run, I might get the ball. I managed to find the space.'

They may never call Manchester United 'the Romelu Lukaku team' but he's showing he's no longer 100 per cent reliant on scoring goals to make a contribution, and is a far better all-round player than he was at Chelsea, West Brom and Everton sometimes.

Lukaku celebrated with goalscorer Martial after referee Jon Moss had blown the final whistle 

Lukaku celebrated with goalscorer Martial after referee Jon Moss had blown the final whistle 

During the game, striker Lukaku had three shots but failed to find the target with any of them

During the game, striker Lukaku had three shots but failed to find the target with any of them