Romelu Lukaku has revealed the physical changes that have hindered his form at Manchester United this season and said that he's 'ready to go' again after overcoming a post-Russia slump.
The Belgian international was on World Cup duty this summer, with his nation reaching the semi-finals before eventually finishing third, something which he bulked up to prepare for.
Lukaku, 25, says he’s had to try and shift some timber to account for the differing demands of Premier League football.
Speaking after he scored in his side’s 4-0 win over Fulham on Saturday: “A little bit of muscle, yeah. It was at the World Cup. I just felt great and I think I played great over there, and then when I came back it is a different type of style.”
“In the Premier League, I cannot play with the same amount of muscle as international football,” he explained.
“That was something that when I came back I knew straight away. I had to lose muscle basically. So you just stay out of the gym, drink a lot of water, and a lot of veg and fish and it helps.”
The former Chelsea and Everton striker had a good season in front of goal last term, netting 27 times, more than any of his colleagues in the Old Trafford striking department, but things have been altogether more laboured for him this time around.
Six goals from twenty showings has been his return this term, a notable slowing, but a new fitness regimen is underway and Lukaku hopes more progress could come from a win that lifted his side into sixth.
“I wasn’t playing with enough intensity. I played with not enough aggression, I think,” he said.
“Against Fulham I think I played with intensity like everybody else did. I was happy to play at a decent level again and now it’s all about improving and continuing on a consistent basis."
