Manchester United’s title charge could be abruptly halted if in-form striker Romelu Lukaku was to suffer a significant injury blow, according to Stuart Pearce.
Scoring 14 goals in 11 games this season, Lukaku has become an instant hit at Old Trafford and has gone a long way to justifying his £75million move from Everton.
The Belgian hit-man has scored in each of his last eight games for club and country, helping United go through August and September unbeaten.
Mourinho’s side are currently joint-top of the league alongside rivals City and appear in a strong position to mount a serious title challenge after finishing sixth last term.
But former England defender Pearce believes Mourinho would be confronted with a ‘big problem’ if his in-form talisman was to be sidelined for a substantial period of time.
‘I think the two Manchester clubs are going to be the ones to beat and, at the start of the season, I said United will win it – and I’ve seen no reason to change my mind,’ Pearce said in a column for Yahoo.
‘The only thing that might address the balance one way or another will be injuries to key players. If United lose Lukaku for any length of time, that could be a big problem for them.
‘I wonder if City can, defensively, be strong enough to make a real title challenge this year – that would be the only question for me.
‘Scoring goals is not a problem. People were insisting that Aguero could not play alongside Jesus, which is ridiculous in my opinion.
‘Good payers can play with each other. There is enough of a supply line for Jesus and Aguero to operate in the same team and score goals, which they will do.’
Following the international break, United travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool before facing Benfica in the Champions League.
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