Dimitar Berbatov has compared a move from Romelu Lukaku moves against Liverpool to “watching Xavi and Iniesta.”
Romelu Lukaku impressed the Manchester United fans with a brace against Crystal Palace earlier this week.
Manchester United were hit by an injury crisis prior to the game as the side lost 10 of its first-team players, including all the first-choice attackers.
However, the side faced no difficulties in cruising to a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in the game. Ashley Young scored the third goal of the game as United maintained their position at fifth in the Premier League.
Lukaku has had a difficult time at Old Trafford this season. The forward lost his place in the starting XI after a series of disappointing performances in the first half of the season. After the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Lukaku became a second-choice striker behind Marcus Rashford.
The Norwegian caretaker manager has often used Lukaku as a wide-man, and the player had a somewhat similar role against Liverpool when the sides met at Old Trafford last weekend.
Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has now praised Lukaku for his performance. However, he went to the extent of comparing a piece of play from Lukaku to that of Xavi and Iniesta.
In his column for BetFair, Berbatov insisted that the player earned his place in the starting XI.
“I like Romelu Lukaku and he’s earned a place in the first XI. He’s worked hard to be in the first team, you could see it in his game at Selhurst Park last night.
“The two goals he scored, the runs he made, the passion in his performance all showed to me that he had a place in the team. I would like to see him start against Southampton because he has earned it.”
He further stated that Lukaku has the ability to play on the wings and that the skill to switch among the front-three is required in modern football.
“.. and don’t make the mistake of thinking he has to play central. In modern football many teams play with three upfront and that trio can switch positions and confuse the opposition.
Lukaku is capable of using the space really well when he drifts left or right and has made a few assists from those positions.”
He mentioned a moment from the game against Liverpool when Romelu Lukaku played a pass to Jesse Lingard in the first half of the game. Berbatov insisted that the move reminded him of Barca’s legendary duo, Xavi and Iniesta.
“The ball Lukaku played for Lingard against Liverpool, there aren’t many players who can make that pass. It was like watching Xavi or Iniesta! Lukaku is not one-dimensional like some people assume,” Berbatov said.
What next?
Romelu Lukaku and Manchester United will return to action later today as the side takes on Southampton in the Premier League.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is yet to lose a game in charge at the club in the Premier League and would maintain to further extend his unbeaten run today.
