Football
ESPN staff 6y

Romelu Lukaku right not to celebrate goal against Bournemouth - Phil Neville

Former Manchester United player Phil Neville says Romelu Lukaku was right not to celebrate his game-winning goal against Bournemouth on Wednesday.

Lukaku, 24, headed in the only goal of United's 1-0 win in the 24th minute in torrential rain at Old Trafford but, while his teammates appeared exuberant, the Belgium international's reaction was muted.

After scoring six times in his first seven Premier League matches, Lukaku has come in for criticism with just two goals in his last 10 appearances to his name and a largely ineffective showing in his team's Manchester derby loss on Sunday.

Lukaku was at least partly to blame for both of City's goals in the 2-1 defeat, missed a good chance at an equaliser late on and might have seen red for a challenge before half-time.

And Neville, who played for United from 1994 to 2005, said on Sky Sports' "The Debate": "I think there was a massive hangover from Sunday. Romelu had a disappointing game.

"He was obviously involved in the City goals and his [missed] chance at the end. He did suffer a lot of criticism and maybe it wasn't a night to celebrate.

"After what happened on Sunday, the performance of the team, maybe it wasn't a night to celebrate a goal.

"That hit Manchester United really hard, that defeat on Sunday, and there was a flatness around Old Trafford last night. There was still disappointment."

Neville admitted he has sympathy for Lukaku, who joined Man United over the summer in a massive £75 million move from Everton, while adding that at times the team's style and setup does not favour the No. 9's game.

"I feel sorry for him. I think at the end of the season he could score 20-25 goals and people will say he's not good enough for Manchester United," he said.

"He's scored so many goals already this season but all people see is the fault.

"If you're playing in that Man United team, does he get the best service? Is he best supported at times?

"I think he was still hurting from Sunday. You don't get over that by scoring one goal at home against Bournemouth."

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