The Belgium international was taken to Old Trafford by the Portuguese coach and believes he deserves credit for the job he did over two seasons
Jose Mourinho “has done a lot” for Manchester United, says Romelu Lukaku, with the Portuguese deserving respect for the job he oversaw.
Having been handed the reins at Old Trafford in the summer of 2016, a proven coach delivered three trophies in his debut campaign.
He was left empty-handed in his second, but returned United to the Premier League’s top four as they finished as runners-up behind record-breaking champions Manchester City.
Mourinho was expected to build on that platform, but endured a testing start to the 2018-19 campaign and was relieved of his duties in December.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has impressed as his successor, overseeing eight successive victories, but Lukaku is reluctant to be drawn on the differences between the manager who signed him for £75 million ($99m) and the one currently at the helm.
The Belgium international striker told Eleven Sports: "I’m not going to compare the two managers.
"I believe that Mourinho has done a lot for this club.
"He won trophies, so I have a lot of respect for him.
"He is the coach who signed me."
Lukaku was almost guaranteed game time when fit with Mourinho at the helm, with the 25-year-old boasting the full support of a boss who had unwavering faith in him.
That is no longer the case under Solskjaer, with Marcus Rashford having starred as a central frontman under a new regime.
Lukaku is yet to start a Premier League game under United’s interim manager, but he is enjoying being part of a squad chasing down Champions League qualification once more and potential success in cup competitions.
He added: "Solskjaer has just started his story here.
"I hope that all goes well. I just hope we finish in the top four and that we win a trophy."
Lukaku was included from the off in his most recent outing, as he delivered two assists in a 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win away at Arsenal.
He will be hoping that his display has given Solskjaer food for thought, with United back in Premier League action on Tuesday when Burnley pay a visit to Old Trafford.
suzbikmpty
103
Winning game is not about football alone but bringing trophies 🏆🏅🎖to the club is what determine as a big club,MOURINHO deserve huge respects so any other coach that can have that records can be proud of again...
_ManUMartial09
78
Some ManU fans are 'Ungrateful' for the trophies, top four and major changes that Jose Mourinho brought in his first two seasons....sad to see such crap comments about Lukaku and Jose....
Cimeikmsu
75
As a United fan, Mourinho has done much for the club by bringing trophies for the club. unfortunately in the third year, things did not go as to plan for him but I am satisfied for the two years he was there. We do not only satisfy ourselves on stats only like other clubs do but we convert those stats into trophies.
Samyzy
71
I agree,he took us from 6th to 2nd, Europa League glory, League glory, Paul Pogba signing and some fantastic victories over every single top 5 last season Talking about this season:he embarrassed United so much that Brighton and West Ham trashed us. Lost to Derby at Old Trafford, Tottenham destroyed us in OLD TRAFFORD, Newcastle scored two at Old Trafford(Thank Goodness we won), draw with Southampton.If he wasn’t sacked only God knows what would have happened against Cardiff....
whykallar
63
Well said Lukaki, everyone knows that, since Sir. Alex retired from Man U, there's is no coach have given Man U. glory compare to Jose mourinho. 1 Man U. was out of trophies for so many years. 2. Man U. couldn't reach top four for so many years. 3. Man U. couldn't play in the champions leaque for so many years. Jose Mourinho came and accomplished all of the above and left Man U. in the quarter final of the champions leaque, Solskjaer is doing pretty well for Man U., but there's no way you can compare him to Jose, any coach could do same or even more then Solskjaer, because Man had a crisis, misunderstanding with Jose, players and Jose wasn't in good term, so all Man U. needed was a coach that could united the team, Man U. should offer Jose every respect he deserved, i wish Solskjaer every best and even if you asked him, he will tell you Jose did well for Man U. and deserves every respect, we shoukd wait to see the end of this seasons, how many trophies Man U. going to win. but i believe Man U. biggest and most important target right now is reaching top 4, but i got confidence Man U. will reach champions leaque semifinal. So everyone let respect Jose instead of disrespecting him, as he did extremely well for winning one of the bests and tops trophy with Man U.
nicenors
45
Some of this utd fans hate Jose for no reason...how many trophies klop have win in liverpool since he took over? He deserve respect..., I'm in support of Lukaku's statement.
AjUnited
43
Who said Murinho doesnt deserve respect? He sure does, but time moves on and so does the game. He cant just use defend as now we can see the offence of United. But i still respect him.
fizzbizzie
43
.. Mr mourinho. with 500 m spent under him should a club be in the position it was before he got fired.. he so embarrassed Man Utd that the game against Liverpool went there with anti football and united still got embarrassed .. since he left united has gone away to two of our biggest rivals and upset them, went to whichever lane and emirates.. and toppled them not with antifootball but playing football.. that's the United way.. United is no under dog to any side.. under mourinho Man Utd played like underdogs even to burnley and Burton albion
yenbouz
37
Lukaku lives in Cuckooland . In terms of praising Jose Mourhino , he is expressing his personal Stupid and Naive opinion . He is not talking for the majority of players who , though some were silent , loathed Mourhino because of his management dictatorial-style which almost stulted most players creativity , restricted their movements and made most players unhappy . Lukaku is a hypocrite and great pretender . While Jose Mourhino was still at Man United he looked morose like other players obviously as a pretence of unhappiness as other players , yet this FOOL , has been harbouring personal admiration for Mourhino . He almost fooled most people . Why does he not follow his father Jose Mourhino ? . I became aware of Lukaku's short memory when he Falsely and Stupidly claimed that Belgium should have won the 2018 World Cup in Russia because it played better than France . I suspect that when he made that statement he was DRUNK . France was far better than Belgium . Even Croatia was better than Belgium . Lukaku is a good player BUT at a lower level to most French players . As for his praise for Jose Mourhino , he is daydreamer whose personal admiration of Mourhino is a figment of his excited imagination . It us his inconsistent and unpredictable form and erratic performance that results in him being mostly a substitute most of the time and a bench-warmer . Lastly , he must reduce his weight . Maybe he eats too much JUNK FOOD .