Jose Mourinho defends Romelu Lukaku from Man United fans as he urges supporters to get behind striker
Belgian had tough game at Old Trafford and fans weren't impressed as his goalless streak continued
JOSE MOURINHO has rapped Manchester United fans AGAIN — and told them to get behind Romelu Lukaku.
The Special One got jeered for replacing local lad Marcus Rashford with Anthony Martial against Tottenham.
Martial scored in a priceless 1-0 home win — and Mourinho responded at the end by putting his fingers to his lips in a "sshhh" gesture.
And now Mourinho is on the warpath because supporters also targeted 11-goal leading scorer Lukaku, even though he set up Martial’s winner.
Lukaku has not scored in five games and there were even groans directed at the Belgian on Saturday for his work-rate against countrymen Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.
The Old Trafford boss fumed: “I would like supporters to explain to me why they don’t support Lukaku so much because he gives everything. It is not fair when scoring or not scoring makes all the difference.”
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And responding to supporters who booed his match-winning substitution, the Portuguese added: “I really don’t understand the reaction of fans — are they Red Devils?
“Sometimes I do not know because my strikers work amazingly well. They pay for their ticket and can do what they want.
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“They can boo a player who doesn’t deserve to be booed.
"They can boo a player who is working like an animal, even though the game is not going in his direction. They can boo the manager.”
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Mourinho is also on collision course with £89million midfielder Paul Pogba over his return from injury.
Frenchman Pogba, who damaged his hamstring in a Champions League clash with Basel on September 12, has only just started training again.
Mourinho, increasingly frustrated at the timescale of his return, said: “I am not in control of his recovery — he is not training with me.
“When a player is on individual work, I can’t predict. I expect Marcos Rojo back after the international break. But Paul — I have no idea.”
