Phil Jagielka admits taking on his old Everton mate Romelu Lukaku is a scary prospect
After the Toffees' drubbing in Atalanta, Jagielka says: 'It’s not a good time to be facing Romelu in this form'
PHIL JAGIELKA admits facing old Everton pal Romelu Lukaku after the Toffees’ Europa League embarrassment is a scary prospect.
The Goodison Park side were sliced apart 3-0 in midweek by Atalanta.
And it was a similar story in their Premier League defeats against Chelsea and Tottenham.
Jagielka, 35, apologised to fans who booed them off after their Euro no-show.
And he said the players owed them against Rom and Co at Old Trafford on Sunday.
He said: “It’s not a good time to be facing Romelu in this form.
"If we play against United like we have lately it won’t take too much of a player to out-perform us.
“Against Atalanta we were disappointed, embarrassed.
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"We were absolutely played off the park in the first half.
“The only way we can move on is with some positive displays.
"I understand our fans being upset. We all know we’d better put in a good performance on Sunday.”
Jagielka had high hopes for Everton this season when he penned a one-year contract extension in August.
He targeted winning a trophy before the end of his deal, which now runs until the summer of 2019.
He said: “That is what you want to be part of.
“Realistically, winning a trophy is an aim this season, next season… and into the future.
“We want to be competing for things."
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