Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku not angry about goal drought according to team-mate Juan Mata ahead of 'special' return to Chelsea

  • Striker Romelu Lukaku hasn't scored in his last six games for Manchester United
  • But United have won four of those matches, with Lukaku providing two assists
  • Red Devils star Juan Mata has said Lukaku is not 'angry' about his lack of goals
  • Midfielder Mata called Lukaku a 'good man' who puts the team before himself
  • Mata, Lukaku and Nemanja Matic will visit former club Chelsea on Sunday
  • 'It's special because I had so many great moments at Stamford Bridge,' said Mata

Selfless striker Romelu Lukaku has been able to enjoy Manchester United's good run of form even though he is suffering his longest goal drought for 18 months.

Lukaku hasn't scored in six games ahead of Sunday's clash at former club Chelsea and he was asked to step aside for Daley Blind when United were awarded a penalty against Benfica on Tuesday night. Some United fans have also expressed frustration with his displays.

However, midfielder Juan Mata says the £75million Belgian - who set up the winner for Anthony Martial against Spurs last weekend - has remained a perfect team man despite his personal problems in front of goal.

Romelu Lukaku (above) is not 'angry' despite failing to score in six games, Juan Mata has said

Romelu Lukaku (above) is not 'angry' despite failing to score in six games, Juan Mata has said

'He is a good man. He is a good guy,' said Mata. 'Obviously he wants to score, strikers are happy when they score and it helps their confidence, but this kind of person isn't angry even when the team wins and he doesn't get a goal.


'We are very happy with him even when he doesn't score. I am sure it is only a matter of time when he does. Strikers have different moments but he is someone who is very strong and I am sure it will not affect him.

'We played together at Chelsea when he was 18 or 19 and he's been playing at a very high level ever since. He's a positive character and I think that has helped him.'

It will be quite a reunion at Stamford Bridge with United players Mata, Lukaku and Nemanja Matic having all played for Chelsea and manager Jose Mourinho winning three Premier League titles there.

Man United midfielder Mata called Lukaku a 'good man' who puts the team before himself 

Man United midfielder Mata called Lukaku a 'good man' who puts the team before himself 

It'll be Matic's first game against his old club following a £40million summer move to Old Trafford while Lukaku joined United from Everton despite interest from Chelsea boss Antonio Conte.

'I think Romelu and Nemanja will cope with it. They will focus on the important thing which is the game,' said Mata.

'For me, it's special because I had so many great moments at Stamford Bridge. I first went back a few months after my move to United, it was special to see ex-team-mates and people working at the club, but once you are on the pitch you try to forget and do your best.

United have responded well to a shock defeat at Huddersfield by keeping clean sheets in wins against Swansea, Spurs and Benfica in three different competitions. They are currently second in the Premier League table, five points behind Manchester City.

Mata, Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and boss Jose Mourinho face former club Chelsea on Sunday

Mata, Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and boss Jose Mourinho face former club Chelsea on Sunday

'It's what we needed after the game at Huddersfield. We needed to keep playing and competing like we have been doing since the beginning of the season,' said Mata.

'We arrive at Chelsea game thinking about carrying on with this good run but it will be difficult. Chelsea lost to Roma (on Tuesday night) and the only way it will affect them will be to come into this game with more intensity. They will be intense from the beginning.

'I would prefer City were not in the position they are. But you have to think about yourself because if not, you don't win your games. If you care too much on what others do then you don't focus on what you have to do.

'It doesn't matter if they lose if you don't win, so you have to do certain things first, and that is thinking about us.

'I have been here a few years now and we have won four trophies since I came, but I would love to win a Premier League here. The reaction from the fans when we won the FA Cup and Europa League was incredible so to imagine them celebrating winning the Premier League gives me goosebumps so hopefully we can do it for them.' 

'It's special because I had so many great moments at Stamford Bridge,' Mata said this week

'It's special because I had so many great moments at Stamford Bridge,' Mata said this week

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