Manchester United looked back to their fluid best last night as a front three of Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Alexis Sanchez looked dynamic on the counter-attack against a fierce Juventus side. Sanchez, playing in the central role, hassled the experienced Juve back line and forced them into mistakes throughout the game.
His link-up play was simply excellent and the way he was able to control the ball and bring other players into play was admirable. He was a key focal point for United to build off and although he is not the strong, physical threat that Romelu Lukaku is, United are a better team when Sanchez is starting up top.
This reflects incredibly badly on Lukaku. United fans must know they are a more dangerous outfit without the out of form striker on the pitch and they look a far more exciting unit when either Sanchez or Rashford start in his place.
The movement and counter attacking speed this side has now makes them an incredible threat even when their opponents have the ball. Lukaku should return to the bench v Man City at the weekend, but Pep Guardiola’s men will have to be incredibly wary of United’s counter-attacking threat when Lukaku is out of the side.
The issue the big Belgian has is that he, unfortunately, slows every attack down. His touch has come under a lot of criticism and it is clear to see the difference between a sharp-minded Sanchez and Lukaku, who seems to struggle to bring others into play.
Lukaku is not a bad player, he is just out of form and out of shape. Still, he is not the right forward for Manchester United to hang their hat on. Mourinho should continue using Sanchez as his central striker, and work off him. The counter-attack system should be how United aim to play in the big games and with Sanchez and Martial flying at an opposition defence, they should reap the rewards naturally.
United must cut their losses with Romelu Lukaku. If they can make back most of the £75m they have invested in him in January, they would be wise to get rid.
