Manchester United’s Romelu Lukaku has fronted up to some of his biggest criticisms in an interview for Bleacher Report.
The Belgian striker was asked about his relationship with Jose Mourinho, his first touch and physique and batted them all away with typical confidence.
Asked how does it feel to be dropped, Lukaku said: “It was like oh wow, sh-t it happened. But I had a conversation with the coach about it and I said ‘listen, it’s been a long year and also with the World Cup, I feel a bit tired’. He saw it, he made his decision.
“He said I didn’t look happy and that I was angry. And I said hell yeah I’m angry.
Like do you think I should smile? And then we had a little chat – after that we just moved on. It was like he opened something in myself, like a new fire to go and get what’s mine.
When asked if he was one of Mourinho’s favourites, he grinned: “One of them, yes. Because I would go through a brick wall for him and he knows that. He’s the type of coach where he’d be honest with you and tell you how it is. And if you cannot deal with that – I mean that’s a big problem.
“Working with him when I am 24 is totally different to when I was 19, 20. When I was 19,20 he was hard on me. Sh-t, I mean that guy was tough.
I was doing everything so well but he was still tough. Now I’m 24, I understand more. He just wanted me to be better.
“I think he has a good relationship with the players I don’t really pay attention to what his relationship is like with the other players, I don’t think it’s something that should affect me. Like you’re a grown ass man – deal with it.
When asked if he was misunderstood, Lukaku said: “I just work hard, I have ambition and I say it out loud and people don’t like it.”
He also said he works hard on his first touch “every day” but was blunt when asked about his physique: “That is BS, I am one of the strongest players in the league.”
Lukaku has been singled out by several former United players for his lack of goals including Paul Scholes.
“I really don’t respond to him,” said Lukaku. “When I see him he shakes my hand but they are paid to respond to stuff. When you see them face to face you don’t see all that. So I don’t really care.”